Dorris Lee Fly Parkins, 93, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon surrounded by her children at her home in Milan, Tennessee.

Dorris was born to Denton William Fly and Esther Lee Rollins Fly on April 5, 1932.

Dorris grew up working on her family farm while attending Milan schools. At age 17, she was stricken with Polio, which ended a promising basketball career. Yet, with the aid of a crutch she graduated with her classmates, went to college, and walked down the aisle with the love of her life, Bob Parkins. Together, they produced 8 healthy children.

In 1965, Bob and Dorris founded the Milan Mirror newspaper. During that same time, the couple also worked tirelessly on Green Acres Farm that included over 300 dairy cows and a tomato packing shed that employed hundreds and supplied tomato plants for some of the largest tomato producers in the world.

Dorris was an artist at heart. She loved Ceramics and Porcelain so much she opened her own business in 1970 called Dorris' Ceramics. There, she created hundreds of beautiful molded and hand-painted pieces that reside in homes all over the U.S. She also held classes that taught many students her skilled craft.

Dorris was very much involved in the community and was a PTA officer and legend in her day. She was a member of the Freed Hardeman College Associates, the Graball Community Center, a 4-H Club leader and a YMCA Board member. In 2024, she was recognized for her 50-year membership with the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a member of the Colonial Dames XVII Century. She was a lifelong member of the Sitka Church of Christ where she taught Sunday school and organized hundreds of church events. She instilled the love of Jesus Christ to her children and all those around her.

Among her many honors, Dorris was named Milan Woman of the Year in 1982 by the Milan Chamber of Commerce, Woman of the Year by the Milan Garden Club and Mother of the Year in 1971 by the Milan VFW Auxiliary. She was also noted in Outstanding Women in America. Her crowning award came in 1968 when the late Governor Buford Ellington presented her the coveted Governor's Trophy as Tennessee's Handicapped Citizen of the Year.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Bob Parkins, and her parents Denton & Esther Lee Fly.

She is survived by eight children Deborah Ayers (Dick), Melanie Day (Dewitt), Denton Clay Parkins (Donna), Tamara Dunnebacke, Paris Parkins, Scarlet Elliott (Marty) Crystal Goldie (Shaun) and Victor Bob Parkins (Carol); 12 grandchildren, Jordan Parkins, Holland Parkins, Deborah Lee Day Story (Taylor), Austyn Dunnebacke (Lauren) Casen Dunnebacke (August), Clay Elliot (Brittany), Demi Elliott, Bob Elliott, Tyler Jackson (Sydney) Walker Parkins, Kendall Parkins, Edward Goldie, Juliette Goldie, and a brother, Felix Fly.

Great grandkids; Liam Dunnebacke, Ryker Dunnebacke, Nalani Perez Parkins, Cooper Jackson, Jordy Jackson, Marshall Jackson and Riley Jackson, Denton Elliott, Mason Elliott, Xander Largent and Emma Largent.

The family will receive friends of Ms. Parkins on Saturday, Dec. 27 at Sitka Church of Christ from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. with the service at 3 p.m. at Sitka Church of Christ. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Milan, TN.

Memorials may be sent to the Milan High School Alumni Association, Sitka Church of Christ or the Tennessee Children's Home.

Bodkin Funeral Home

731-686-3111