Sham Parish, a lifelong resident of Antlers, passed away in Antlers on Tuesday, Mar. 10., 1998, at the age of 82 years. He was born on Aug. 17, 1915 in Darwin.

Born Dec 9, 1900 near Fowlersville [IT], (now Valliant), he resided all of his life in McCurtain County. He was retired sawmill worker and lay minister in the Methodist church.

Parish was a retired sawmill worker and a member of the Methodist Church. He enjoyed auctions and dominoes.

Surviving relatives include two sons, Sham Parish, Jr., of Hollywood, Fl. and Larry Parish of Muscogee; five daughters, Sina Hopper, of Harrah, Mary Butler, of Antlers, Faye Cleveland, of Albuquerque, NM, Lucille Loman of Midwest City, and Francine Thornton of Tulsa; one brother, Sampson Parish of Darwin; two sisters, Elizabeth McKenzie of McAlester and Eva Felihkatubbe of Tulsa; 20 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Parish was preceded in death by his parents, Elias and Melissa Parish; his wife, Anna Mae Parish; one son Mark Dewayne Parish; and one brother, Noah Parish.

Funeral services were conducted on Friday, Mar. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Antlers First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Bertram Bobb officiating.

Serving as pallbearers were Garnet Butler, Phillip Loman, Russell Cleveland, Raymond Thornton, Jr., Walter Hopper, and Martin Green, Jr. Honorary pallbearers were O. W. Westbrook, Buddy Dunham, Carl Abney, Bob Dozier, Leo McKenzie, Buck Satterfield, and Jess Gann.

Interment followed at the Sugar Loaf Cemetery