Shirley Louise (Rauchle) Parnell
GERMANTOWN - Shirley Louise Parnell, whose sweetness and kindness blessed the lives of so many, passed away late in the evening of April 9th at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN at the age of 86. Her daughter Cindy Howard and niece Gina Loftin were at her side when she passed, and her granddaughter Haley was also by her side much of the time near the end of her life.
Shirley was born to August and Clara Rauchle (Bessire) in Milan, TN on November 29th, 1937. Shirley grew up in Milan and attended Milan High School where she met Jack Parnell who she would go on to marry at the age of 18. Shirley and Jack were married on August 25th, 1956 and spent the next 66 years together until Jack’s passing in April of 2023. As a married couple, they first lived in Jackson, TN, then moved to Memphis where they started their family and eventually settled in Germantown in 1981.
Shirley loved spending time out in her garden. Spring was a favorite time for her to get out and load up on new plants and flowers that would keep her busy until all the leaves were off the trees in fall. She developed a love for photography from her time working at the camera shop in Jackson as a newlywed. She was always taking pictures with her ipad/iphone and her favorite subjects were of course her family, especially her grandchildren. Animals were always very dear to her, especially her big black cat, Beau and her many grandcats and granddogs. She also enjoyed many lifelong friendships from high school as well as close friendships with neighbors and church members. She was a devout Christian and member of Germantown Baptist Church.
Shirley was known for her humor and kept people laughing even during her time in the ICU. A fan of nicknames for almost everyone, she also managed to gain quite a few from her family and her daughter’s friends: Big Shirl, Big Shugs, Biggs and Mimi because of her “not so big” stature. Loved by all she crossed paths with, her absolute love and devotion to her family and many who considered her “mom” was deep and unwavering.
Shirley Parnell is survived by her daughter Cindy Howard of Memphis, her son, actor Chris Parnell of Los Angeles; grandchildren Haley Howard, Damian Parnell, and Harry Parnell; son-in-law Brad Howard and daughterin-law Natasha Parnell; nieces Gina Loftin and Sandra Crowley, who were like daughters to her; sister-in-law Linda Parnell; nieces Charlotte Bursi, Debbie Childs, Pam Heide, Michele Hoggatt, Theresa Rushing, and Mary Danna Seese; nephews Carl Mims, August Rauchle, Glenn David Rauchle, Mike Rauchle and great nephew Brach Rauchle, as well as great nieces Paige Brasfield and Jordan Hunderup. Shirley was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband, Thomas Jackson (Jack) Parnell, sister Joan Holder, brothers Bob C. Rauchle and his wife Cynthia, Glenn Rauchle and his wife Virgie, Gene Rauchle and his wife Rebecca, and nephew Jerry Rauchle. Shirley also leaves behind niece Gina Loftin’s husband, John Loftin, neighbors Jeff and Tina Spots, and caregivers Linda Payne and Laterria Gosa who provided immense help to Shirley and her late husband Jack over the last several years.
The service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery at 5668 Poplar Ave in Memphis, TN at 2pm on Friday, April 19th, with visitation at 12pm.