Bernice Harrison Parvin died peacefully at her home on historic Greensboro Street in Starkville, Mississippi on November 13, 2014.

Mrs. Parvin was preceded in death by her husband Dr. David Woodrow Parvin, Sr., and by her parents Thomas Solin and Edna DeLaney Harrison of Corinth, Mississippi, a brother, Reverend William H. Harrison, a sister, Gratia Underwood LaFontaine, and a granddaughter, Candace Leigh Parvin.

Bernice was born on September 19, 1920, in Corinth, Mississippi. She and Woodrow married, and she happily followed him to Mississippi State University and to the University of Virginia where he received his PhD. When they returned to their beloved Mississippi State University, Mrs. Parvin was the Administrative Assistant to the Registrar from 1952-1982, and also the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine. She and Dr. Parvin could be found at the baseball field whenever their Bulldogs were playing. Her other favorite pastime was playing bridge, and she was a member of numerous bridge clubs. She was a charter member of the MSU’s Woman’s Club and a former member of the Starkville Civic League and Hospital Auxiliary. As a member of First United Methodist Church, Bernice was a faithful member of the Wesley Sunday School, Circle Martha, and had emeritus status on the Administrative Board. She enjoyed being a Lay Delegate to Annual Conference and playing handbells with the Golden Belles.

Mrs. Parvin leaves behind three sons, David W. Parvin, Jr., Ph.D., Steve Parvin, M.D. (Martha Ruth) and Gary Parvin, J.D. (Pat). She leaves six grandchildren, Lisa (John) Gibson of Denver, Colorado; Jenny Castillo of Plano, Texas; Amy Henley (Chip) of Aberdeen, Mississippi; Stacey Parvin (Bob Fuller) of Louisville, Mississippi; Steven Parvin, DVM (Danielle) of Spanish Fort, Alabama; and Kelly Lott (Danny) of Starkville. She leaves ten great grandchildren Clay and Blake Henley; Ryan Castillo; Morgan, Taylor & Kyleigh Corder; Emma Parvin; Evvy, Caroline, and Clara Fuller. She also leaves behind her brothers, Gerald Harrison (Linda) of Deland, Florida, and Danny Harrison (Judy) of Montgomery, Alabama, and seven nephews and nieces.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2014, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS, and on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with the funeral service immediately following. Rev. Dr. Giles Lindley, Rev. Dr. Prentice Gordon, Rev. Bob Whiteside, and Rev. Stacey Parvin will conduct the service.

Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church Music Fund or to the Dr. D. W. Parvin, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 5187, Mississippi State, MS 39762.


Pallbearers: William Corder, Jack Hill, John Hill, Phillip Rutherford, Tom Underwood, John Underwood

Honorary Pallbearers: Larry Dobbs, Rodney Foil, Jerry Inmon, Pat Posey, Roy Ruby, Tom Scarborough