Phyllis Irene Parr

DAHLGREN – Phyllis Irene Parr, 90, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at her home in Dahlgren.

Phyllis was born in Lima, Ohio, on October 22, 1934, to parents Elmer and Ruth Harter. On August 2, 1952, she married Clarence “Bud” Parr at the Methodist Parsonage in Lincoln Park, Michigan.

After Bud served in the Army, he moved his wife and children to Dahlgren, where they had lived since 1957. Phyllis was raised a city girl in a suburb of Detroit, so it was quite a shock to move to a small town and into a house with no running water. She learned how to make do and eventually became skilled at cooking, canning, gardening, sewing, quilting, and helping on the farm. Her greatest pride and joys were her three grandsons, whom she loved and spoiled thoroughly—then turned around and did it all again with her great-grandchildren!

Phyllis was a member of the Belle Rive Missionary Baptist Church, where she had been a children’s Sunday School teacher for many years, teaching several generations of families. She also helped in the Vacation Bible School kitchen and worked in the church’s Shepherd’s Closet, where clothes and other items are given away twice a month.

In addition to being a homemaker for many years, Phyllis began working in her sixties, handing out food samples at various local stores, including Walmart and Kroger. She enjoyed meeting people and was very good at promoting the products she demonstrated.

Phyllis was a 50-year member of the Eastern Star and a 50-year member of the Hamilton County Home Extension. She was active in the Dahlgren Chapter and also served on the board for several years.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 72 years, Clarence Parr of Dahlgren; daughter Kay Bair and husband David of Mt. Vernon; grandson Nathan Parr of Dahlgren and children Delanie, Ivan, Marlow, and Amelia Parr; grandson Jared Parr of Skokie, Illinois, his wife Rana, daughter Asoula, and a baby boy expected in September; grandson Braden Bair of Mt. Vernon, his wife Hannah, and children Bennet, Hezekiah, Rowyn, and Milo; sister-in-law Joyce Kardel; and niece Linda Harter of Wyandotte, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son Joseph Parr; daughter-in-law Gail Parr; and brother James Harter.

Funeral services for Phyllis Irene Parr will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the Belle Rive Missionary Baptist Church in Belle Rive, with Pastor Richard McCormick officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A private, family-only burial will take place immediately following the funeral at Middle Creek Cemetery in Dahlgren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Belle Rive Missionary Baptist Church and will be accepted at the church or at Gholson Funeral Home.

Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com.

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