R.L. Parnell passed from this life into his heavenly reward on the morning of Aug. 7th, 2021. R.L. was born on a snowy day on April 8, 1938, near Cookson, Ok, to parents Levi Marion Parnell and Helen Josephine Keys. His family lived in several locations there and around Tahlequah, Ok. before moving to Henryetta, OK, and eventually to Tulsa.

He married the love of his life, Beverly Ann Smith, on Aug 23rd, 1957, and raised a family of 3 children in Sand Springs, OK. He worked and retired as a steelworker at Armco/Sheffield Steel in Sand Springs. However, his real calling in life was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

R.L. pastored several churches in the Tulsa/Sand Springs area during his lifetime. He was an old time, firey preacher, and was responsible for leading many souls to salvation. He performed countless, marriages, funerals, and dedications over the years. He always had an open ear to anyone in need of spiritual guidance or counseling.

Anyone who met him, loved him, and he loved everybody. He had a tremendous sense of humor and would do anything to make you laugh! He would do anything for anybody. He had a gift for making things with his hands, especially wooden things. He made things and gave them away to those he loved. He loved God and he loved his family. He was a good father and an even better Grandfather. He raised many of his grandchildren in his home. He was both a father and a grandfather to them. Twin grandsons, Lee and Levi lived with him their entire life. After his wife Beverly passed in 2016, they all took care of each other.

R.L. affected the lives of many, many people. He had friends and people that loved him, everywhere. He will be greatly missed on this earth. Our loss is Heaven's gain.

R.L. is preceded in death by both of his parents, Levi Parnell and Helen Parnell, Wife Beverly Smith Parnell, Daughter Jennifer Parnell Holt, Sister, Virgina Parnell Dunn, Brothers Charles Parnell and Ed Parnell. He is survived by son Dickie Parnell and wife Kim, daughter (Bunny) Stephanie Parnell Fisher and Husband Scott, grandchildren Stephanie Parnell, Jessica Parnell Foster, Mathew Parnell, Gabriel Parnell, Taylor Potter Paylor, Dustin Fisher, Andrew Fisher, Cole Fisher, Lee Taylor, Levi Taylor, Lain Taylor, Sarah Taylor Hemphill, and Bo Holt. He had 13 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved very much.