Melody Ann Parrish

Melody Ann Rippetoe (Dingman) Parrish passed away on August 16, 2012 in Burleson, Texas after an 18 month battle with cancer. Memorial Service: 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at Mayfield Kiser Funeral Home in Burleson. Melody was born on November 18, 1945 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Melvin and Helen Rippetoe. Melody graduated from Tulsa’s Nathan Hale High School in 1964 and in December of that year she married Ross Dingman, with whom she had three children, Cyndi (Mark) Coker and Darin (Alyssa) Dingman of Burleson, Texas, who survive her, and Eric Dingman, who preceded her in death. Darin’s wife, Alyssa, was like a daughter and was a very special person in Melody’s life. In 1990 Melody married Jerry Parrish of Burleson, Texas, who survives her. She is also survived by her loving parents, Melvin and Helen Rippetoe of Tulsa, and two sisters, Carol Fisher and Joy (Mike) Longmire also of Tulsa. In addition, Melody will be missed by her five grandchildren (Nicole, Ryan, Liz, Shelbie, and Brent), many nieces and nephews and her stepchildren, Kimberly (Slade) Ashmore, Katherine (Kynrick) Koralewski, and Hunter (Ashley) Parrish and four step-grandchildren (Olivia, Landry, Dylan, and Townes). In her youth Melody was an accomplished ballet dancer and a fearless water skier. In recent years her greatest joy was entertaining her family with cookouts around the pool and preparing family dinners for holidays or for any day. All those who knew and loved Melody will miss her zest for life and wonderful sense of humor.