Annette Parchman

Annette Parchman was suddenly but peacefully taken Home on Sunday, January 22, 2023, where she flew smiling into the arms of her mom and dad, Lorene (Strickland Morris) and L.E. Parchman; brother Justin Parchman; grandparents Zela and Lawson Parchman / Ena and Harmon Strickland; and numerous special aunts and uncles. She is survived by her 2nd family at Lampstand Nursing and Rehabilitation in Bryan; her sister and brother-in-law, Arlene (Parchman) and Vernon Stawnicz, their children and families, Pam, Clayton, Emma (Rekieta), and Cade Fannin and Mary, Hunter, and Madison Whitworth, as well as her aunts and cousins. Annette was born in Houston, Texas on April 9, 1972, exuding love and happiness from that moment until the moment she passed. While many referred to Annette as special needs, mentally challenged, or intellectually and developmentally delayed, each person she touched in her 50 years would shake their heads at those monikers, replacing them with ones such as a gift from God, bursting with love, happy to the core, joyful, and personality-plus. Annette lived her life honestly, without the burdens and shackles of pretense. She was secure in her faith - each time she was told of a family member or close friend passing away, after shedding a few tears she would say, "They with Jesus?" and after receiving an affirmative response, would nod her head and dry her tears, happy to know that person was in His loving arms. You could not be around Annette without cracking up, which fueled her antics even more. At 5' 10", she was a force, moving at lightening speed to make it to the dining room, activities, or when going on a daily outing, but at a snail's pace, blocking the way of those behind, when it was time for a less exciting event. She was a master at instilling patience and mirth in those around her. Through special programs at Hope Village in Friendswood and Clear Brook High School, she graduated in 1994. While there she was a super-charged Special Olympian, medaling repeatedly in swimming and track. Bowling outings generally turned into a smack-down for whomever took her. While Annette was carefree and smiled contagiously at everyone she knew or those she just met, she intuitively knew when someone else was hurting. Just her saying, "You not feelin' too good? I sorry" could warm you to your toes. Every day she asked about family members who were ill or hurting, saying "That so sad, hope they feel betta'" and each day she wanted to know how Ruby, her sister's 14-and-a-half-year-old red Husky mix and Roscoe, her 13-year-old black Lab mix, were doing, and when she did not see them would say, "Tell Ruby and Roscoe I say hi!" So, if describing Annette as special needs means she was special in warming the hearts of everyone around her and making them smile, then yes, that phrase describes her perfectly. As such, in lieu of flowers the family suggests reaching out to someone in a positive way today and saying a prayer for a person who needs to be lifted up. Through that means, Annette will continue her positive outreach to others even after her death. Services will be held at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Bryan on Friday, January 27, 2023 at 2:00 PM, officiated by Senior Pastor Marie Nutall, followed by a private burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Franklin. Please come as you are - your presence would mean so much to Annette, and she could not care less what you look like or how you dress. If donations are desired, they may be made to the American Cancer Society or New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 3200 W. 28th, Bryan, TX 77803. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.

Annette Parchman

April 9, 1972 - January 22, 2023