Martha Ruth Parrish
Martha Ruth Parrish, age 88, was born on September 11, 1936 to Condia and Dessie Robertson in Fairfield, TX. She passed away on May 3, 2025. Martha graduated from Fairfield High School in 1955. On November 27, 1958 she married A.P. Parrish and then graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1959. The couple resided in Palestine, TX and Martha was employed by Anderson County as Home Demonstration Agent until 1969 when she began her teaching career. She taught at Cayuga High School and then continued at Palestine High School from 1981 until her retirement in 1991, teaching hundreds of students the skills of homemaking.
Martha's retirement was busy and fulfilling and included serving in many capacities at Westwood Baptist Church in Palestine. Some of her service included teaching Sunday school, serving as Vacation Bible School Director and preparing the Wednesday evening meals for 20 years. She loved her home, her church and her flowers and nothing pleased her more than hosting a meal for friends and family. She also enjoyed sewing and was an accomplished seamstress. After her husband's death in 2001, she began volunteering as a member of the Sunshine Guild at Palestine Hospital and continued for 20 years. In 2022, Martha returned to Fairfield to reside with her sister, Pat, where she continued serving by caring for her faithfully. She also rejoined her childhood church, First Baptist Church of Fairfield, where she had given her life to Jesus Christ in 1944.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Condia & Dessie Robertson, her husband, A.P. Parrish, her brother, Charles D. Robertson, and her sister, Pat Robertson. She is survived by a host of former students and friends including special friends, Kaye Wood, Sissy Awalt, Julee Emmons, Robert Wood, Anna Kaye Crow, and Sheldon, Helyn Kaye, and Drew Williams.
Graveside services for Martha Ruth Parrish will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at Fairfield City Cemetery with Rev. Leon Thomas officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 303 S. Mount St., Fairfield, TX. 75840.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey & Foster Funeral Home.
To view online leave condolences or sign the guest book go to www.baileyandfoster funeral home.com.
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Send Flowers: When Is the Ordering Deadline?
ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
Order any time up till the day before
MON-FRI Order by 2:00PM
SAT & SUN Order by noon
TUES-SAT
Order by 3:00PM
The day before
SAT & SUN Order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. During peak periods such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day and most holidays, florists are not always able to keep up to demand. Tribute will contact you if there are any issues.
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