Richard Colan Parham

Richard C. Parham, 79, of Hahira, died Saturday, July 25, 2009 at Lakehaven Nursing Home in Valdosta, after a long illness with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in Lowndes County on April 16, 1930 to the late Thomas Edward and Armetta Duggan Parham. Mr. Parham proudly graduated from Hahira High School in 1947. He served in the United States Army from 1950 through 1955. Mr. Parham worked for McDonnell Douglas Aeronautics’ at Cape Kennedy Space Center from 1963 through 1975, then was Chief of Security at Brevard Community College in Brevard County, FL from 1975 through 1992 and then he retired. He preached at New Smyrna Beach Church of Christ from 1982 through 1990, served as an elder at Eau Gallie Church of Christ in Melbourne, FL from 1996 through 1997 and was currently a member of the North Valdosta Church of Christ. Mr. Parham served as President of the Hahira Historical Society from 2000 through 2001.

He is survived by his loving wife of fifty four years, Patricia J. Coppage Parham of Hahira, daughter, Sherry Lynn Parham Brown (and her dog Nike Lee) of Hahira, daughter, Sonya Lee Parham Shannon and her husband Robert, their children, Tyler and Leenna (and their dogs Missy, Luckie and Summer Lee) of Wesley Chapel, FL, his “adopted family”, Tondra Larson and her husband, Keith and their children, Ryan, Drey and Caden of Hahira, sister in law, Lorene Napier Parham of Hahira and her children, Kaye Parham and Jeff Parham and his wife, Tammy and their children, T. J., Matt, Rylie and their granddaughter, Amelia, sister in law and brother in law, Wendell and Pansy Spearman of Hahira and their children, Lindi, Julie and James of Newark, Ohio, brother in law and sister in law, Mike and Sherri Coppage of Merritt Island, FL and their children, Mickey and Jennifer and many nieces and nephews. He was lovingly known as “Papa” to many children in Hahira.

Mr. Parham is preceded in death by his siblings, J. W. Parham, T. C. Parham, Doris Parham and Bascom Parham.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at four p. m. in the chapel of the Martin McLane Funeral Home in Hahira with Charles Knight, Dave Sharp and Gary Halcomb officiating. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from five until eight p. m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at mclanefuneralservices.com.

Martin McLane Funeral Home, Hahira, GA



Funeral Home:
Martin/McLane Funeral Home
401 S. Church Street
Hahira, GA
US 31632