It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Barbara Ann Melton Parish on Friday, October 9, 2026. She was born on April 1, 1935, in Poole, KY, to the late Ruby Bridwell Melton and Doris Melton.

Barbara was married to the late Omar Parish, Jr., for seventy-two years. Together they raised three daughters and left behind a legacy of love, including five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Barbara became a member of First Baptist Church in 1956. She served on several church committees, taught Sunday School, went on several mission trips, served in Young at Heart, and was a soprano in the church choir for over forty years.

Barbara was a successful beautician for almost forty years. Her first salon was Barbara's Clip & Curl, and the second was La Petite where she expanded her business into the Parish House. As a couple, she and Omar were active members of the Christian Classic Cruise Car Club for over twenty-five years.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings, Dorris Ray Melton, Sue Tapp, Frieda Sandefur, Martha Lang, Jerry Melton, and Larry Melton

She is survived by her daughters, Vicki (Terry) Lamb, Valerie Cantrell, and Dawn Fox; "The son she never had" Andy Fox; grandchildren, Neil (Tara) Kolodey, Audrea (Tom) Sisk, Whitney (Charlie) Fuller, Andrew (Leigh Ann) Fox, and Emily (Todd) Bello; great-grandchildren, Nathan (Maddie) Tapp, Brooklyn (Heath) Jones, Bradley Sisk, Jack Sisk, Cameron Fuller, Trevor Fox, Lucas Fox, and Lucy Fox; great-great-grandchildren, Leland Tapp, Jax Tapp, and Mason Jones; as well as many other extended family and friends.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Pastor Robert Gray officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery in Hanson, KY.

A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Andy Fox, Andrew Fox, Charlie Fuller, Bradley Sisk, Jack Sisk, and Terry Lamb.

Barbara's life was a testament of faith and family.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.