Mrs. Mary Parrish Bass Portwood, 84, formerly of Andalusia, died Sun., Feb. 22, 2009, in Palm Bay, Fla.
Mary was born on Sept. 21, 1924, in Andalusia to Burie G. and Aggie Parrish. She retired from the Covington County Sheriff’s Office and the Andalusia Police Department after 22 years of service. She was also the first female law enforcement officer in the county. She was a 30-year member of the Fraternal Order of Police, South Alabama Lodge #19 where she served as secretary/treasurer for 21 years, and the Alabama State Lodge, where she served as secretary/treasurer for seven years.
A favorite hobby of hers was bowling, where she served as league secretary for many years. After her retirement, she ran a craft shop known as Miss Mary’s Craft Supply and Gifts which eventually became Country Florist. Mary spent the last 11 years in Melbourne, Fla., near her children.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today, Thurs., Feb. 26, at the Adellum Baptist Church with burial in Adellum Cemetery. Visitation will be held 30 minutes prior to the service at Foreman Funeral Home.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Harry) Crews of Palm Bay, Fla; her son, Gary (Dora) Bass of Palatka, Fla.; her grandchildren, Michael (Becky) Crews, Angie (Matt) Barker and Shawn (Davina) Bass; her great grandchildren, Summer Crews, Michael Crews, Austin Bass, Dylan Barker, Hanna Barker and Logan Barker; her brothers, Junior Parrish and Cecil (Marzell) Parrish, both of Andalusia, James (Mildred) Parrish of Opp, and also one step daughter, Jackie (Gary) O’Dell of Anniston.
She is preceded by her parents, Burie and Aggie Parish; her husbands, Bill Portwood and Bennett Bass, and her brothers, Donnie Hugh Parrish.
Pallbearers will be Mike Crews, Michael Crews, Shawn Bass, Austin Bass, Matt Barker and Keith Parrish.
Family and friends unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.