J. Stewart Parrish

J Stewart Parrish

A public Celebration of Life for J. Stewart Parrish will be held at a later date.  Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Parrish, 52, of Meridian, passed away Monday, December 28, 2020 at Baptist Memorial Hospital -North Mississippi, in Oxford, MS.

Stewart graduated in 1987 from Oak Hall Private School in Gainesville, Florida where he was a National Merit Semi-Finalist and an All-County multi-sport athlete in football, baseball and track.  He attended the Santa Fe College Institute of Public Safety Law Enforcement Academy and graduated with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice at the top of his class, earning the nickname, “Quickdraw” for his skilled shooting and marksmanship abilities.  After becoming a certified police officer and deputy sheriff, Stewart returned to college in 1989 to finish his Bachelor’s degree and try out as a football walk-on at Ole Miss.  He graduated from Ole Miss in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and worked the next several years in law enforcement, first as a police officer at the University of Florida Police Department and then as a Deputy Sheriff at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office in Gainesville, ending his law enforcement career on the POP unit working undercover in narcotics and other problem orientated policing areas.  In 1994 Stewart returned to Ole Miss to attend Law School and graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1997 and was subsequently admitted into both the Florida and Mississippi Bar.  In 1998 Stewart began his law career as an Assistant State Attorney for the 14 ^th Judicial Circuit in Marianna, Florida working as a prosecutor primarily for juvenile and misdemeanor cases.  In 2000, Stewart moved his family to Meridian and accepted a part-time Public Defender position in Lauderdale County with the Circuit Court of the 10 ^th Judicial District.  During this time he also started his own private law practice and formed the Law Office of J. Stewart Parrish, P.A.  Throughout his 20 years as a solo practitioner Stewart was an unusually gifted trial attorney who was able to blend his prosecuting and criminal defense skills as well his law enforcement background to provide the best representation for his clients.  He was a staunch defender of constitutional law, civil rights, and the principles of justice and loved nothing more than being able to showcase his talent and ability in the courtroom and win a jury trial or receive a directed verdict and help his clients in their time of need.  He was a force in the legal community and loved and respected so many colleagues and judges who supported him along the way and helped him grow personally and professionally.

Stewart was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gun collector.  He was a brilliant mind; an ardent reader; a gifted debater and writer; had a wealth of knowledge about anything and everything; could tell a good story, anecdote, or joke; was a good cook and grill master; was partial to George Dickel and a robust cigar; was a classy dresser with a tailored suit, oxford cloth button down shirt, tie and suspenders; loved poetry; had an amazing memory and recited entire poems, quotes and bible verses verbatim; and was a huge fan of SEC college football and baseball.  Most importantly, he was born and raised a precious child of God and baptized Presbyterian; lived his life to the fullest; loved his children deeply, was so very proud of them and grateful they will be his good and lasting legacy.

Stewart is survived by his children: Jackson Lee Parrish, Chandler Grace Parrish, and Robert “Bo” Ellis Parrish; his parents, James and Peggy Parrish; sisters Victoria Henderson (Brooks) and Alexandria Parrish Evans (Danny); his nephew, three nieces, and many cherished colleagues and friends.  He is also survived by, the mother of his children, Kathy Parrish; and her parents, William and Lee Ann Vicars; as well as his office manager and very close friend, Vicki Wyche Tucker.

Mr. Parrish is preceded in death by his grandparents; Mr. and Mrs. James Lamar Parrish, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Stewart.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Mr. Parrish’s preferred charitable causes:

-The Susan Margaret Ellis Scholarship Endowment through the MCC Foundation c/o lhill@meridiancc.edu

-George C. Cochran Innocence Project (innocenceproject.olemiss.edu) through the Ole Miss School of Law and the University of Mississippi Foundation c/o umf@olemiss.edu

-St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital c/o stjude.org

Family and friends may sign the online guest book at robertbarhamffh.com.