Daphyne Parson

Daphyne Parson, 91, of Jonesboro, Arkansas peacefully departed this life on earth and entered the gates of Heaven on the evening of Wednesday, November 9th, 2022.

Daphyne was born on July 4th, 1931, in Ashland, Mississippi to Alex and Lemmer Nelson.  The date of which was very befitting because Firecracker was most definitely a word that could be used to describe her.

Daphyne lived most of her life in and around the Jonesboro area and was of Baptist belief.  She held multiple roles and titles during her most important career which was raising her six children.  Some of which where Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troop Leader and was a former President of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Upon completion of this portion of her life she went on to work as a successful Innkeeper and spent the better part of the last twenty years working as a in home caretaker to senior citizens of which she like to joke that many of her clients were younger than her.  In her spare time, she loved tending to her plants and flowers, word searches, bingo and watching old westerns, not the new age ones.  Gunsmoke, and anything with John Wayne in it were among her favorites.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and three sisters, two sons, James David McQuay, and Steven McQuay and her first love and first husband Bishop Parson and three great-grandchildren.  This certainly made for an excellent welcoming party upon her arrival at the pearly gates.

Left behind to cherish her memory and continue her legacy but most importantly settle the argument as to who was her favorite are two sons Max Parson (Carolyn) and Michael McQuay (Cindy) both of Jonesboro.  Two daughters Penny Kirksey (Randy) also of Jonesboro,  and Paula Schlueter (B.J.) of Horn Lake, Mississippi, and one brother Donald Nelson of Brookland, Arkansas.  She was known as Granny to sixteen grandchildren Matt Parson (Ceola), Theresa Folsom (Jon), Jennifer Crain (Gary), Nikki Coots (Mark), Elizabeth McQuay, Michael James McQuay (Angie) Jon McQuay (Alicia) Miranda Rothgery (Kyle) Tabitha Kirksey (Donnie), Brandi Kirksey, Shena Tate (Corey), Nicholis Golden, Sabrina McQuay, Kevin McQuay (Emilee) Zachary Kirksey, and Lindsay Kifer (Eric) and forty-one great grandchildren and one great- great grandson and a host of extended family and friends.  To know her was to love her and you never had to worry where you stood with her as she was quick to give you her opinion.  One of the greatest story tellers to ever live, Daphyne led a life that was a great example set for multiple generations of her family that she was so proud of.  Although a legacy of such will be hard to live up to the family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time as we honor the matriarch of our family.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be 6:00 PM, Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Visitation will be from 5:00 until service time.  Burial will be private.