Mary Ann Parman

Mary Ann Parman, 80, our precious MaeMae, of Brandon, MS, passed away on September 7, 2025.

Mary Ann was born to Alfred and Edna Beasley Hennington on March 11, 1945. She graduated from Port Gibson High School in 1962, and went on to attend Mississippi University for Women. With one year remaining in her Home Economics degree, she returned home after her father’s stroke to help her family.

Mary Ann was a devoted homemaker for many years. She returned to the work force on her daughter’s first day of first grade. She spent many years working at the Port Gibson Bank, first “in the back” running the proof machine and later “up front” as a teller and eventually the teller supervisor. She enjoyed meeting and serving the public and getting to know several generations of families in Claiborne County.

Mary Ann was an active member of Bethel Baptist Church and the Ladies Sunday School Class. She spent a great deal of time each day reading her Bible and praying. At the age of 79, she determined to be baptized a second time to reaffirm her faith and testify publicly that she was a follower of Christ. She boldly shared that Jesus was her Hope and Savior and that she knew that her home was in heaven. She battled cancer four times in twelve years, never losing sight of God’s love or sovereignty. She was confident that God had a plan for her and would provide the strength needed to see it through, and He did.

Mary Ann was an avid reader and a gifted baker and cake decorator. She greatly enjoyed sewing and needlework including tatting, crochet, and cross-stitch. Mary Ann especially enjoyed crafting gifts for friends and family. Photographs of loved ones were her love language, and she spent many hours creating treasured photo albums.

Of all her hobbies and activities, being a MaeMae was her favorite. When her grandson was young, they spent hours reading, making up stories, and playing with his favorite toys. They ate cake cakes on the veranda (pancakes on the patio!), pruned bushes with good kitchen scissors, and frequented the library. When he was older, MaeMae was one of his strongest cheerleaders and supporters in 4H Shooting Sports. She and Pappy rarely missed a practice or match. They loved and spoiled his friends and teammates as lavishly as they did Joey. Pappy and MaeMae are both remembered fondly and missed deeply.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Joy Dale, and her beloved husband of 59 years, Robert “Pappy” Parman. She is survived by their daughter, Becky Parman Combs (Darby), grandson, Joey Combs (Camilla), and great-grandson, Dmitri Combs. She is also survived by brothers-in-law, John Dale, Joe Parman (Barbara), and Buddy Parman (Annell), sister-in-law Alice Parman Sharp, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Service details are not yet available. A graveside service will take place at Wintergreen Cemetery in Port Gibson, MS. Specifics will be made public as they are confirmed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cookies & Cups Cancer Ministry (Rankin County Baptist Association; 200 Park Place Drive; Pearl, MS 39208) or Children or Youth Camp Fund (Bethel Baptist Church; 128 Bethel Church Road; Brandon, MS 39042).