SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Mary Lee Parnell Hendrix, 88, of Savannah, Georgia, widow of Wilmer Hendrix, died Sunday morning, April 17, 2011 at Savannah Specialty Care.

She was born in Claxton, Georgia on December 7, 1922. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilmer Hendrix; an infant son; son-in-law, Donald E. Love, Sr.; her parents, Viola Parnell Polk and Ratliff Wade Parnell; three sisters, Lera Fountain, Vera Parnell and Thelma Shuman, and two brothers, Wade Parnell and John Parnell.

For a short time, she worked at the Mingledorff Shipyard where she met Wilmer who became her husband of 62 years.

She was a member of the former Taliaferro Baptist Church, where she was active in the Sunday school, Church Training Department, and on the kitchen committee serving the Men’s Brotherhood. She later became an active member of Isle of Hope Baptist Church and participated in many senior activities.

She loved her Lord, her church, her family and traveling. She was the epitome of southern hospitality. She was fun loving, enjoyed being around people and was a wonderful homemaker who was always eager to help her family, children, neighbors and church friends.

Her hobbies included sewing, cross stitch, and macramé.

She is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Virginia Love of Savannah, and Charlene and Rick Sigwald of Charleston, two sisters-in-law, and a brother-in-law, Maggie Blackburn of Rincon, Marjorie and Oscar Hendrix, Jr. of Statesboro, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 11 until 1 o'clock Wednesday at Gamble Funeral Service – 410 Stephenson Avenue.

The funeral service will be held at 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service.  Interment will be at 4 o’clock in Eastside Cemetery in Statesboro, Georgia.

Remembrances: Odyssey Healthcare Hospice – Suite 225-D, 5105 Paulsen Street, Savannah, Georgia 31405-4616 or Alzheimer’s Association – 201 Television Circle, Savannah, Georgia 31419 or Isle of Hope Baptist Church – 22 Rose Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31406.