Henry Parsons

Henry Russell Parsons, 65, of Tyler went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, April 9. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Stewart Family Funeral Home with the Rev. Carl Dwayne London and Richard Rossi officiating. Burial will follow in Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery. Russell was born on Dec. 27, 1941, to the late Tim Parsons and Lottie Beatrice London Parsons in Gallatin, Texas. He served in the Army from 1960 to 1963 and after completing basic training in Fort Hood and Fort Carson, Colo., he was stationed in Germany and in Korea. He moved to Tyler in 1949. He was a pressman for the Tyler Morning Telegraph for 29 ½ years. He also worked for CodyCole USA Inc. as a security officer. He received Jesus Christ as his Savior at Central Baptist Church in Lindale when the late Rev. Gale Galloway was pastor. He had been in agriculture classes in high school and loved to participate in bullriding and rodeos. Later, his hobbies included playing the guitar and singing in a group at area nursing homes and special events. He also had a love for the Lord and His Word. He married the former Rhonda Christine Rossi on Jan. 6, 1996. He was a loving and devoted husband to her and she was equally devoted to him in return. He leaves behind his wife of 11 years, Rhonda Parsons of Tyler; his mother, Lottie Parsons of Jacksonville; brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Liz Parsons; daughters and sons-in-law, Tammy and Bill Carter of Hawkins and Judy and Bruce Gregg of Flint; daughter, Dee Parsons of Flint; grandson, Hugh Carter Jr. of Hawkins; granddaughter and husband, Kandi and William Hinckle and great-grandson Dakota Hinckle of Hawkins; grandsons, Clint Parsons and Dusty Parsons; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Tim Parsons of Tyler; and son, Hank Parsons of Hawkins. Pallbearers will be Buster Scates, Art McClelland, Mark Layne, Bobby Carter, Bill Carter and Hugh Carter. He was known by many and loved by all who knew him for his kind heart, his friendliness and his constant smile. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler, 75703. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Henry Parsons

December 27, 1941 - April 9, 2007