Bessie Mae Parnell

Bessie Mae (Ryan) Parnell was born in Baskin, LA on December 24,1935 to Emma Elizabeth Winstead (Vandever) and Albert Ryan.

She moved to Odessa, Texas in 1978 where she met and married Russell Parnell in November of 1982. They later went on to own and operate P&M Wireline Services until 2007 at which time they retired and moved to the valley, McAllen, Texas. Russell passed away in 2008 and Bessie returned to Odessa in 2017, where she continued to reside near her daughter and granddaughter and family.

Bessie loved the Lord and was blessed to see all four of her daughters come to know Jesus. She also loved singing the old church hymns. She loved teaching kids about the Lord and was involved in children's ministry for many years teaching Sunday School. Bessie was an excellent cook and baker. Though she has passed on her passion and recipes to her daughters, HER pot roast, biscuits & gravy, and homemade pies will be missed!

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, James F. Ryan and daughter, Cindy Duran.

Bessie is survived by three daughters; Wanda Penton of Bogalusa, LA; Brenda Kerr (Larry) of Odessa, TX; Linda Gongora (Roy) of Prairieville, LA; four sisters; Loretta Martin of Gilmer, TX, Jessie Molea of Sumall, MS, Theresa Ann Rury (Paul) of Murfreesboro, TN; and Joyce Dickens of Sumall, MS. four granddaughters; Miramoni Penton, Monica Gordon (Tracy), Tamra Duran, and Tiffany Phelps (Andrew); two grandsons, Chad Penton and Rodrigo Gongora II (Sara); seven great granddaughters; Chardonnay, Chyann, Caylen, Cierra, (Chad) Khloie, (Tiffany) Cadence and Charlotte (Rodrigo, Il); five great grandsons; Jayden (Tamra); Keegan (Tiffany), Jonathan and Donovan (Monica) and Gavin (Rodrigo); five great-great grandchildren, Selena and Gabriel (Chardonnay) Matthias, Hayden and Cyrilla (Chyann); and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A visitation for Bessie will be held Monday, September 16, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors, 4635 Oakwood Drive, Odessa, TX 79761. A funeral will occur Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors with a committal & burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, 6801 E, Odessa, TX 79762.