Mary Ann Johnson Parrish - 1997

Mary was born march 18, 1966, in Browns, Alabama and grew up there.  She was given inspiration by her brother David, who gave so graciously of his time to help her get her career started.  Her brother took the time every evening to help her prefect the skills necessary to become a good basketball player.  She graduated from Keith High School in the spring of 1984 where she played on the first team, three consecutive years.  While at Keith High School, Mary helped her team to go undefeated and captured the state championship.  Mary received a resolution from the office of Mayor fro reaching such unprecedented height.  Mary also received such awards as:  W.C. Jenkins Scholastic Award, Best Free Throw Award – 3 years, Blue/Gray most Valuable Player Award and Most Valuable Player Award during her career at Keith high School.  Mary signed an academic/basketball scholarship with Lawson State Community College in the fall of 1984.  She was an outstanding Center/Forward for the Lady Cougars, leading their team to records of 17-7 and 15-9.  She was the leading scorer for both years. 

At Lawson State she helped her team both years, with a combined record of 32-16.  Mary was leading scorer for two years with career total of 1,193 and 790 rebounds.  During her 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons, she made the All-Conference Team, Most Valuable Player, All Regional Team, All Tournament Team, and she was captain of the team. Mary was named to the first tem All-American, which was a first for Lawson State girl’s team.  She scored a career high of 51 points and 42 rebounds in a game against Concordia College.  She led the nation in scoring (30 points a game) and for placing third on the rebounding chart (19.5 a game).  She was selected to play in the Alabama Junior College Al-Star Game and selected to play in the National Junior College All-Star Game in Hutchison, Kansas.  Not only did Mary excel in basketball but in academics as well.  She was the recipient of a distinguished seminar field trip awarded by the Department of Interior and the Southern Edison Electrical institute, Outstanding Student Award, Academic Award, and Computer Technology Award.  Her most rewarding recognition was having her # 40 jersey retired.  

After graduating from Lawson State with an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Electronic Data Processing, Mary signed with Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, Alabama.  Mary joined with players to form a great team.  She received numerous awards at Alabama A&M University in basketball/academics such as: SIAC All Tournament Team, SIAC Academic Award, Most Valuable Player Award, and outstanding Achievement Award. 

Mary graduated form Alabama A&M University in the spring of 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science.  She has gained invaluable experience through working for a Birmingham, Alabama law firm, and a Computer Electronics Teacher at Selma High School, where she enjoys sharing with the students the many joys of learning.  Presently, May lives with her husband Armetha Lennal and daughter Arneshia Lenae.