Nyla P. Parris

Nyla Pearl Parris, 99, of Buffalo, Missouri, formerly of Pleasant Hill, was born March 4, 1925, in Pleasant Hill, the daughter of Hobert G. and Edna P. (Small) Milican. She departed this life Monday, February 24, 2025, at the Colonial Springs HealthCare Center in Buffalo.

Nyla grew up on the family farm and attended Hickory Grove School near the Ore community south of Pleasant Hill. She left home at a young age and started her working career at the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City and later for Montgomery Ward. 

On August 21, 1944, she was united in marriage to Homer L. Parris in Olathe, Kansas. Homer was enlisted in the Navy and following their marriage they were stationed in Shawnee, Oklahoma, San Diego, California, and Whidbey Island near Puget Sound, Washington. She returned home in 1944. She and Homer owned and operated a small dairy farm near Pleasant Hill where she worked alongside Homer milking cows, gardening, canning, and all the other day to day operations of their farm. She was an active member of the Homemakers Club and the Ore Club. 

 In 1971 they sold their farm and bought another farm at Long Lane near Buffalo. In 1977 they sold that farm moving closer to Buffalo. While in Buffalo she worked for the Dallas County R-1 School District. She was a cook for the school and will long be remembered for the hamburgers and other treats she supplied for the students’ Snack Bar at the high school. 

Following the death of Homer in 1992 she returned to Pleasant Hill where she worked for the Lay Clergy Thrift Store. She was also a longtime care giver for her aunt, Linnie Dickerson. She later returned to Buffalo. 

She was a former member of the Hickory Grove Baptist Church where she was active with the Women’s Mission Union and the Pisgah Baptist Church in Long Lane, Missouri, and was currently a member at the Big Creek Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill. She enjoyed ceramics, sewing, and flower gardening. Above all she enjoyed spending time with her family. 

Nyla was preceded in death by her parents, Hobert and Edna; her stepfather, Lonnie James; one son, Leslie Parris; four brothers, Hobert Milican, Lonnie James, Johnnie James, and Ronnie James; three sisters, Verna Milican, Della Croy, and Alberta Benware.

She is survived by her children, Leta (and Gib) Sudduth of Pleasant Hill; Daniel (and Connie) Parris of Lebanon, Missouri, Donna (and Bill) Lawrence and Mary (and Charlie) Carlson, all of Buffalo; daughter-in-law, Carol Parris of Harrisonville, Missouri; one sister, Alma Foote of Harrisonville; 13 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 13 great-great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation and funeral services were held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Big Creek Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill. Pastor Jim Vest officiated. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Casket bearers were Logan Bradley, Coleton Greer, Justin Grinter, Blaine Leer, Travis Parris, Jim Russell, and Stacy Sudduth. Honorary casket bearers were Jace Grinter, Jeffrey Grinter, Chance Jackson, Larry Kiger, Ellison Leer, Redding Leer, Cody Parris, Garret Parris, Grayson Sudduth, and Tristin Sudduth.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Citizens Memorial Hospital Hospice and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080