Brother Larry "Poppy" Parish

Brother Larry married the love of his life Debbie on June 1, 1972, in 2022 they were blessed to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Together, they raised three sons and loved on their seven grandchildren. Debbie never left his side, on December 31, 2022 he passed with his love sitting next to him.

Brother Larry was called to preach in 1970, being ordained at Second Baptist Church in Dallas on April 7, 1983. Following his ordination he pastored Wayside Baptist Church. Larry followed God’s will and started New Life Baptist Church on August 16th, 1987 at his home. With so many in attendance that day, it was realized a building was needed. The church rented a small building in Dallas, but after a short time, the church outgrew that building and the need for a permanent, larger building was needed. The current location on Bobo road was built primarily from volunteer work, Larry served New Life Baptist for numerous years. Larry was a true servant of God and had a discernment like no other!

Larry was a family man, he and Debbie were blessed with three sons and seven grandchildren. He enjoyed teaching his three boys how to be men, to take care of their families, how to fish, and even the lessons of shooting a gun. Most of all, Larry loved his seven grandchildren and with his eighth on the way, he was ecstatic over how blessed he was with such a big loving family. Larry always taught, with God all things are possible. He also taught his boys to put God first, followed by your spouse, and then your children. Each lesson he taught his children, were not only in words, but in action. He, as you would say, “practice what you preach”, meaning, if he was going to teach his boys something or tell his boys something, he did it himself. Larry is leaving a legacy behind, but we all know that he will always be looking down on all of us, telling us how proud he is of the men that his boys have become.

Larry leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Debbie, three sons and daughters-in-law; Jason and Erica, Josh and Jena, and Jeremy and Amanda. He also leaves his legacy to seven grandchildren Jonah, Abbey, Sam, Jaleigh, Jax, Jasper, and Jacie Jean. His legacy will also be passed on to his soon to be eighth grandson, Liam. He also leaves behind two brothers Horace and Sherry Parish as well as Wayne Parish. Three brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law Wesley and Kathy Willingham, Donna and the late Bill Ketchum, Wayne Willingham as well as Jeff and Shari Willingham. He also has several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday January 6, 2023 from 5:00 until 8:00 pm at Clark Funeral Home, 4373 Atlanta HWY, Hiram, GA 30141.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday January 7, 2023 at 2:00 pm at New Life Baptist Church, 496 Bobo Rd, Dallas, GA 30132 with Brother Joe McAdams and Brother Craig Wheeler officiating. Brother Larry will lie in state from 12:00 until 1:30 pm at the Church.

Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery with his three sons Jason, Josh and Jeremy along with four grandsons Jonah, Sam, Jax and Jasper and Jess Twilley serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Sikorski, Duane Crider, and Barry Bales.