Mildred Sorrell Parris

Mrs. Mildred Anita Sorrell Parris, age 92 of Sparta, passed away Friday afternoon August 28, 2026.

Mildred was born May 26, 1934 in White County Tennessee to the late Orville B. Sorrell Sr. and Kibby Lynn Sorrell. She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years Clyde Dudley Parris who died October 4, 2022.

There were so many phases in her 92 years. She moved often as a child while her father worked on many TVA dam projects. She liked to joke that her daddy was a “Dam Builder”.

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend whose life is marked by determination, creativity, humor and a wonderful sassy spirit.

At 16 years old she eloped and married Clyde Parris. She would often say they raised each other since they were married so young. Together they raised two daughters and Angus cattle. They also endured the loss of an infant son.

Mildred never stopped learning. She earned her GED and later graduated with a college degree in Accounting from Tennessee Tech in 1978 at the age of 44.

After retiring from the workforce she helped her husband on their farm in Doyle raising Angus cattle.

She started the 4-H program in White County where she taught generations of young people to sew. She was always creating and crafting with her hands. She loved people, reading books and puzzles. She could spend hours with a good book, crossword puzzle, Sudoku and most importantly chocolate.

Mildred was an excellent seamstress and very creative. She made clothing for her grandchildren for all occasions. She would sew formal gowns for bridal parties for many many years. She then passed this sewing skill down to her children and grandchildren.

She was a great friend. She was a known visitor at many local nursing homes where she would take the time to visit anyone she knew that was a patient. She was known for a laugh and being an amazing support system.

After her husband passed she then moved in with her granddaughter Leslie and her family. Becoming part of their everyday lives. She enjoyed sharing movie nights and evenings watching Murder, She Wrote and The Andy Griffith Show, creating memories her family will treasure.

She supported her grandchildren and great grandchildren at all sporting events, school plays, life events with a camera always in her hand ready to capture the moments. She would then share these photos with anyone who would stop for a quick chat no matter in the grocery store or at the bank. She loved her family with all her heart.

In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by husband of 71 years, Clyde Parris, infant son, Steven Dudley Parris. Sister Mary Alice Wilhite, Brothers: Orville Jr., Lynn, Jack Sorrell. Son-In-Law Jerry Dudley Scott.

Survivors include daughters Babetta Scott and Chris Barlow.

Grandchildren Leslie Wehage and husband Nathan, and Rachel Rice and husband Tyler. Andrew Barlow.

Great-grandchildren: Vaughn, Campbell, Arlo Wehage, Maren Rice.

Sister: Sara Reynolds and husband Floyd

Brother: Jim Sorrell and wife Barbara

Funeral visitation will be conducted at 11:00am, funeral service will be at 1:00pm Monday August 31, 2026 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial at Old Zion Cemetery to follow. Randall Kirby will officiate.