Anita Parrish

Anita Marie Parrish, 55, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Whitewater, died early Monday morning, Feb. 12, 2007, at her home.

She was born May 11, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Delmar A. and Bernice Latham Wagner. On June 12, 1975, she was married to Cliffard I. Parrish of McClure, Ill., and later divorced.

Anita was a 1968 graduate of Central High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University. She was proud of her work with children in the Head Start program of Tamms, Ill.

In 1982 she suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident and after months of therapy was able to live at home with her parents. The many years of hard work toward recovery by herself, her parents, family and friends has been an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

Her love of children and concern for the welfare of others never left her during her recovery or during the illness that took her life. She had a heartening impact on everyone she met, greeting everyone with a smile and a compliment.

Anita was a member of Maple United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau and a former member of Whitewater United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her parents; a daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Hope C. and Brian Beatte of Centennial, Colo.; a brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Kathy Wagner of Jackson; and a nephew, Andrew Wagner and fiancee Bethany Claff of Washington, D.C.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Cooper and the Rev. Virgil Bunch officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.