Shirley Elaine Parris

Shirley Elaine Newans Parris, 93, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, March 18, 2024.  She was born on September 10, 1930 in London, Ontario, Canada to the late Lawrence W. and the late Lorna Evelyn Prior Newans.

Shirley had been a homemaker and wife to Jimmie Parris for 68 years.  She was a member of Southeast Baptist Tabernacle church and a resident of Magnolia Springs assisted living facility where she was the self appointed welcoming committee chairman to welcome each new resident.  Her goal was to be sure that every new resident, when they moved in had a copy of God’s Word.

Because Shirley was born in Ontario, Canada, she became a naturalized American citizen when she was in high school.  She would talk about having to study and take the test so that she could become an American. She graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1948.  She married Jimmie G Parris on October 30, 1954 at Berean Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN.

Shirley’s enjoyments in life were gardening, flowers of all kinds, birds and bird watching and all animals; her 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.  Shirley was known for her skills in the kitchen with her cooking and baking.  One of her holiday traditions was to make hundreds of dozens of Christmas cookies and then deliver trays of cookies to families and neighbors.  During the years the cookie baking grew to include her daughters, granddaughters and friends.  It is a tradition that we hope to continue.  Shirley had a green thumb and enjoyed planting a large flower garden when she had her own home and that even continued at Magnolia Springs in the resident garden they have.  She especially loved the flower “Love in a Mist” that she brought  home as seeds from Ontario, Canada and continued to grow that flower for many years.

Shirley’s family will receive friends on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Simplicity Funeral & Cremation Care, 7520 Madison Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46227.  A service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with grandson, Andrew Whitaker, officiating.  Burial will be at Orchard Hill Cemetery, 8946 Southeastern Ave., Wanamaker, IN.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie G. Parris, and her parents, Lawrence W and Lorna E Newans.  She is survived by daughter, Susan Johnson and her husband Patrick, daughter, Sheryl Whitaker and her husband, John and son, Jim Parris and his wife, Rebecca; sister, Beverley Wagner, brother in law, Danny Parris and his wife, Sharon and sister in law, Myrna Parris; Grandchildren, Steven Johnson (Charlena), Laura Meyers, (Ross), Shannon Morgan, (Matthew), Andrew Whitaker, (Christianna), Ashley Kelley, (Jonathan),  Brittney Howes, Paul Johnson, (Cheyanne), Jacob Parris, (Allison), Luke Parris and Maggie Parris,  16 great grandchildren; Ethan, Lili, Eli, Roman, Leland, Elliott, Vivian, Nora, Charlie, Evelyn, Morgan, Oliver, Madelyn Elaine, Kaia, Elaina and Hudson; special cousins Marilyn and Barbara in Ontario; lifelong, devoted friends, Leroy and Donna Butler, several nephews and nieces and many other wonderful friends.

Shirley’s family would like to especially thank the staff at Magnolia Springs Assisted Living facility for their love and care for her for the past 8 years.   They have been a blessing to her whole family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lifegate Ministries, P.O. Box 5, Monrovia, IN., 46157.

Arrangements are in the care of Simplicity Funeral & Cremation Care.

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