Melissa Parsley

Melissa Lynn Fair Parsley, 46, of Hardy, Arkansas, passed away on September 15, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. It was a blessing to many to be with her during the final moments of her life. Born on February 3, 1979, Melissa spent the majority of her life in Arkansas, where she graduated from Highland High School. Throughout her life, her kind heart, radiant smile, and selfless nature made her unforgettable to all who knew her.

Melissa loved her family deeply. She is survived by her devoted husband, Ralph Parsley; her children, Emily and Morgan McCarty, Katie Evans, Lane Evans, Benjamin Wooten, and Will Evans; her stepchildren, Brianna and Cody Goodman. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Bo and Maggie Goodman. She is also survived by her siblings: Timmy and Leslie Fair, Jimmy and Pamela Fair, and Melissa Beineke, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Melissa will be fondly remembered by her parents-in-law, Randall and Evelyn Crawford.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Della and William Fair; her niece, Jessica Fair; the father of her children, Timothy Evans; and her father-in-law, Ralph Parsley Sr.

Above all, Melissa’s heart belonged to her children. Her love for them was a steady, unshakable force—constant, fierce, and unwavering in its devotion. She treasured every shared moment, from the simple to the extraordinary. She listened with pride and joy as Lane and Benjamin poured their hearts into their music, feeling their passion resonate deeply within her. She never missed a single one of Katie’s art shows, marveling at her creativity and celebrating each unique piece as a testament to her daughter’s spirit. With Emily, she often dreamed aloud about the future—imagining the day she would hold her new grandchildren in her arms, filling her home with new laughter and love. And with Will, she savored quiet evenings spent curled up together, sharing movies, stories, and laughter that warmed her soul. To Melissa, her children were everything—her greatest joy, her deepest purpose, and her proudest legacy. She made certain they always knew, beyond any doubt, just how boundlessly and deeply they were loved.

Melissa found profound joy and comfort when she married Ralph Parsley. Their love blossomed into something full of warmth, genuine laughter, and the quiet, everyday happiness Melissa had always longed for. With Ralph by her side, she felt a deep sense of peace and belonging. Together, they dreamed of building a life rooted in her childhood home. That beloved house, once filled with the echoes of her own past, was now a sanctuary renewed by their shared love and hope for all the tomorrows to come. They envisioned days spent wrapped in the simple pleasures of life—traveling to new places hand in hand, slowing the pace to truly savor each moment, and finding beauty in the small, unspoken joys of companionship. With Ralph, Melissa experienced a partnership grounded in kindness and understanding, a love that gently nourished her spirit and brightened every day.

To know Melissa was to be welcomed with warmth, generosity, and that beautiful smile of hers. Her memory will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were blessed to love her. A visitation of family and friends will be Friday, September 19, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the chapel of Tri-County Funeral Home, 1540 Hwy. 62/412, Highland, Arkansas.

The graveside service and burial will be Saturday, September 20 at 10 a.m. in Turkey Pen Cemetery near Hardy. All who knew and loved Melissa are welcome to attend. Serving as pallbearers will be Lane Evans, Benjamin Wooten, Morgan McCarty, Timmy Fair, Jimmy Fair, Brandon Fair, Randall Crawford, and Jordan Harris.