Ralph Parsley Sr.

Ralph Owen Parsley Sr. of Poughkeepsie, Arkansas, passed away in Batesville, Arkansas, at the age of 96.  He was born in Poughkeepsie to John Marion and Olar (Norris) Parsley.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army for World War II as a field medic and saw intense action in the Ardennes Forest in severe winter, also known as Battle of the Bulge, where he received the Purple Heart. Ralph worked as a Deputy U. S. Marshal before his beloved career with the Little Rock, Arkansas, Police Department as a Detective Sergeant for over 22 years.  He retired as a cattle farmer in southern Sharp County, Arkansas.  Ralph was a member of Little Springs Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include his sons, Stephen D. Parsley (Monda) of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Ralph O. Parsley Jr. (Cindy) of Poughkeepsie; daughters, Krista Brandt of Little Rock and Amanda Parsley of Bryant, Arkansas; grandchildren: Kara and Stephanie Parsley of Little Rock, Brianna Goodman (Cody) of Poughkeepsie, Alec Brandt (Autumn) of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Matthew and Michael Parsley of Chicago, Mary Grace Parsley of Searcy, Arkansas, Courtney and Halle Teeter of Hot Springs, Arkansas; four great-grandchildren (with one on the way); a brother, Joe T. Parsley of Wichita, Kansas; and many other relatives and good friends. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Jess Willard, Howard Lee, and Jack D. Parsley; two sisters, Oshea Johnson and Mabel Parsley; and a son, Steven Ralph Parsley. All services will be in the chapel of Tri-County Funeral Home at Highland, Arkansas: visitation of family and friends Friday, September 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. and funeral Saturday, September 14, at 10 a.m. with Bro. Bobby Sanders officiating.  Burial with military honors will follow in Lebanon Cemetery near Poughkeepsie. Pallbearers:  Alec Brandt, Michael Parsley, Matthew Parsley, Cody Goodman, Colton Goodman, Shannon Huff Honorary Pallbearers: Tyler Parsley, Cody Parsley, Ron Schindler, Ken Williams