Hank Parris End of Life Expenses & Burial

In lieu of flowers, the family requested that this Go Fund Me account be set up to help defer his end of life and cremation expenses for his family. Any contributions for this would be very deeply appreciated by the family. His ashes will be spread near his family's graves in Hattiesburg and at his favorite fishing spot, The Booger Hole, near Pearlington, Mississippi. It was the site of a family fishing camp and some of his most treasured memories growing up with his grandfather and his Daddy.

Harold John Parris, Jr., better known to his many friends and loving family as “Hank,” passed peacefully from this life and into the next at his home in Tylertown, Mississippi in hospice care after a series of health issues. He was surrounded by his“fur babies” and the comfort and love of his life's partner, Faith Dyson, on Sunday, January 14, 2024. Born December 14, 1955 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Hank was 68 years old, the youngest of three children and only son of Harold and Rose Parris also of Hattiesburg. He was a graduate of Hattiesburg High School. He loved his family and his friends, most especially his children, as well as music, photography and animals of all kinds.

Hank was a natural born salesman who never met a stranger and was never at a loss for words and conversation. He began working for his family's business, Parris Jewelers, in Hattiesburg in his early teens and after graduating from high school attended watchmaker's school in Paris,Texas. He then went on to manage the Parris Jewelers in Picayune,

Mississippi. Eventually he moved to Fort Worth, Texas and went to work in sales at Kinard Glass and later for Ritz Camera. It was during this time that he met and was married to Nancy Hart, the mother of his two beautiful children, Zach and Rosy.

When Hank's parents began to need additional care, he returned to Hattiesburg becoming their in-home caregiver until they had both passed away in 2002. He remained in Hattiesburg until he met and fell in love with his life partner Faith Dyson an RN in 2006, and after selling the family home he moved to Tylertown, Mississippi to be with her and her 3 children and grandchildren.

Together they saw kids through school and college while running Dyson Farms for Faith's horse business, and as Hank liked to say “living off the grid” growing their own vegetables, raising chickens, pigs and alpacas, with a pond for fishing. Hank additionally started a business, Parris Pups, breeding, raising and selling puppies of different breeds that were sold all over the country. Sometimes they would travel to deliver the puppies personally and at other times the puppies would be flown to their new families and homes.

Fun for he and Faith was going to horse shows, or a local restaurant/bar and listening to live bands, do a little dancing, and maybe some Karaoke if it was the right night for it. Oh, and Hank grew a fairly long white beard after moving to the country and looked exactly like a famous television personality. He was delighted when people would stop him to ask if they could take a picture with him. Sometimes he told them who he was but if they didn't ask – well, why spoil their fun? Somehow I think Uncle Sy would have laughed and might have done the very same thing.

His was a wonderful life. Hank will be missed by all who knew and loved him or had the privilege of meeting him and enjoyed his warmth, kindness and generosity. He was a gentle spirit with slow southern style and the peace and satisfaction of a good life, a great family, being kind and helpful to others and doing things that he really enjoyed. He was “Broie” to many of us and a character, but he was our character, and we will always love him and remember him and maybe just try to slow down and take life easy a little more often.

Hank was proceeded in death by his parents, Harold and Rose Parris and his Sister, Deborah Parris Smith and her husband Robbie.

Survivors: His life partner, Faith Dyson and son, Zach Parris and wife Molly, daughter, Rosy Parris Concha and husband Matt, bonus daughters Danielle and husband Charles Harrell, Drs. Sarah and husband Christian Lopes, and bonus son, Larkin Albarado and Faith Alexandra Sappington. Grandchildren include. Wells Concha, Isla Augusta Concha, Asher M.Lopes, Allegra Knippers, Allayna Knippers.

Sister, Rebecca Parris Kinard and husband Michael Kinard. Niece and nephews, Amanda and Tim Olson, Micah and Jenna Kinard and their children Joshua Olson and Shepherd Kinard. Joshua Smith and wife Kristy and their daughter, Louise Smith. He is also survived by a number of cousins including Lori Miller and son, Alex Miller and wife, Jamie,

Chuck and Michelle Miller and their children.

The family has requested that special appreciation be

extended to Naomi Carpenter Smith, Lee Wimberly, and Miata Bridges.

Your remembrances and prayers of support are welcomed by the family.