Parvin Murry South

Funeral Services will be held 11:00AM Friday 8/11/23 at the Mathiston First Baptist Church with burial in Maben Memorial Garden Cemetery in Maben, MS. Visitation will be 6:00PM until 8:00PM Thursday 8/10/23 and 10:00AM until 11:00AM Friday 8/11/23 at Mathiston First Baptist Church in Mathiston, MS Parvin Murry South, 89, retired Executive Director ASCS Webster County, died August 8th. 2023 at his residence in Maben, MS. Funeral Services were held 11:00AM Friday August 11th. 2023 at Mathiston First Baptist Church with burial in Maben Memorial Garden Cemetery in Maben, MS. Rev. Will Livingston officiated. Pallbearers were; Chris Moak, Patrick Dunn, John South, Ken South, Nathaniel South and Tanner South. Parvin Murry South was born May 2, 1934, in Falkner, Ms. He was the fourth of 6 children born to Euclid and Pearl South. The young family moved to Cumberland, MS in 1948. Parvin graduated from Cumberland High School on his 17th birthday, with the third highest average in his class. He attended Wood Junior College, where he played basketball and baseball. He was elected the Most Handsome Boy in the 1952-1953 school year. Years later he taught the last Wood College classes. Parvin attended Mississippi State University, graduating in Spring of 1955 at the age of 21, with a degree in Math, Science, and Physical Education. His first job was at Biggersville High School. It was there that he met Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Doty, who became family and lifelong friends. Parvin said in his testimony that he became a Christian after his older brother died, as he wanted to go to heaven and see his brother again. Church was always a large part of his life. If the doors were open, Parvin was there. Parvin met the love of his life on a blind date at a drive-in theatre. They were soon inseparable, and on August 18, 1956, Parvin and Ida married. Parvin and Ida were married for 67 years, a testament to their love and devotion to each other. In 1959 Parvin was accepted in the National Science Institute of Mississippi State University. He completed his master’s degree in education in 1961. In 1960 Parvin, his wife and daughter, moved back to Cumberland where he was the math and science teacher and coached Junior High and High School sports. Parvin always had two jobs to provide for his family. while teaching, he worked as a park ranger on the Natchez Trace. His family spent many Sunday afternoons meeting along the park for picnics and fun. He officiated ball games at the high school and college level, continuing for 40 years. Some of the many jobs Parvin had included gas station attendant, B&W plant, cheese plant, Caterpillar tractor company in Illinois, construction work, acreage checker, box factory, EMCC adjunct faculty, Webster County Election Commissioner, and Real Estate salesperson and broker, and Cumberland Water Association. He raised cattle and farmed throughout his life. In 1966, he left teaching and began work as a County Executive Director, with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS). This job sent him to Wayne County for 4 years, before transferring back to Webster County in 1971. After 33 years with the ASCS Parvin retired in December 1997. Since retirement Parvin and Ida have stayed busy building and decorating their retirement dream home, spending time with children and grandchildren teaching them country life and ways and enjoying life with each other. Life is a precious gift. Parvin is preceded in death by his parents, Euclid and Pearl South, sisters; Joye Marie, Rubye Myrl, and Imelda Zane, and a brother Julius Byrl. He and his wife Ida would have celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on August 18, 2023. He leaves his wife Ida South, his children Dr. Lisa South, Tim South and Jarod South, as well as grandchildren Tanner, John, Taylor, Nathaniel, and Emily, and a great grandchild, and his only living sibling who is known as his little brother, Cleo Wayne South “Sonny South”, Natchez, MS