Joseph Ralph Parrish, age 89 of Malvern, died Wednesday, March 7, 2018 in the Baptist Health Medical Center in Malvern. He was born in Malvern on March 17, 1928 to the late Joseph Ansel Parrish and Lois Jones Parrish. Reared and educated in Malvern, he went on to join the United States Army, from which he was honorably discharged as a cryptographic technician. Ralph had a varied career: he worked in sales for local businessman Zerah Caldwell, was a shipping clerk at Malvern Brick and Tile, was an equipment operator for National Lead, and served as a police officer on the Malvern Police Department, leaving as Captain in 1966. Ralph was appointed Malvern City Treasurer/Collector and served in that position until January 1, 1973. Rounding out his life as a public servant, he retired as Hot Spring County Circuit Clerk on December 31, 1991. He was a Missionary Baptist.

Ralph was the widower of the late Emma Chancellor Parrish, to whom he was married on August 11, 1949. She preceded him in death in 2007. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Phyllis Bearden, and a sister, Louella Walker.

He is survived by his son, Ed Parrish and his wife, Julie of Malvern; a son-in-law, Ronnie Bearden; grandchildren, Jason Parrish, Scott Parrish, Kim Hairston, Jeff Bearden, and Rhonda Vance; four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at one o'clock in the afternoon in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Pastors Ron Hutson and Vance Nutt officiating. His ashes will be interred in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Memorials are requested to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.

Special thanks from the family go to the staff of Baptist Health Medical Center, Hot Spring County, and the nurses of Kindred Hospice for their loving care of Ralph.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.