Thelma P. Parham
May 18, 1921 — August 28, 2009
Thelma P. Parham
Thelma P. Parham, age 88, passed away on August 28, 2009, while in Florida with her family.
Thelma Pottinger Parham was born May 18, 1921, in New Haven Nelson County, KY, and was the daughter of Varina Vittitow Pottinger and Curtis Millard Pottinger. She grew up in Bardstown, KY, and completed art school at Cincinnati Art Academy.
After beginning a career as a fashion artist, she met and married Frank Parham who went to his heavenly home in 1992. She transitioned from professional career to the role of minister's wife and full time mother of three daughters.
As a minister's wife, Thelma served a significant role in several United Methodist churches. After moving to Kingsport, Thelma began employment as a Graphic Artist at Tennessee Eastman Company, where she worked until retirement.
Thelma was quite active in retirement, and pursued spiritual growth and service to others. She served as an active member of Cassidy United Methodist Church, including the United Methodist Women. She was a member of National League of American Pen Women, Kingsport Art Guild, and Long Island Chapter of the DAR. She was a volunteer for Holston Valley Hospital. She received the J. C. Penny Golden Rule Award for her work as a reading tutor with the Literacy Council of Kingsport.
She continued her art, specializing in researching and painting family Coats of Arms and maintained a special interest in genealogy. She was voracious reader, a published writer, and an avid traveler. She enjoyed traveling with friends and family throughout the U.S. and abroad. At the time of her passing, she was in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and all of her daughters and son-in-law, Charlie, were at the bedside with her.
She loved life and people and considered needs of others before her own. She was cheerful and thankful in all things, even as she declined in health during the past four years. She was the most wonderful mother and grandmother ever!
She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law: Pam and Phil Watson, Atlanta; Karen and Charlie Cox, Kingsport; Denise and Chad Varga, Chattanooga; and two sisters and brothers-in law, Irma and Alan Webb Kingsport and Eula and Barry LaCroix Spartanburg, SC. She is also survived by grandchildren Trent, Travis, and Tim Watson and Natalie and Zachary Varga; as well as Beth Cox Brewer and Chris Cox, children of Charlie Cox, and their children; and several nephews and nieces.
Thelma's family will receive friends at Cassidy United Methodist Church on Saturday, September, 5, from 1 pm to 3 pm. A celebration of Thelma's life will begin at 3 pm, with burial immediately following in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens. Rev. Robert Burlingham and Rev. Larry DeVault will officiate. Grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Cassidy United Methodist Church / 5801 Memorial Blvd. / Kingsport, TN 37664.
Thelma Pottinger Parham was born May 18, 1921, in New Haven Nelson County, KY, and was the daughter of Varina Vittitow Pottinger and Curtis Millard Pottinger. She grew up in Bardstown, KY, and completed art school at Cincinnati Art Academy.
After beginning a career as a fashion artist, she met and married Frank Parham who went to his heavenly home in 1992. She transitioned from professional career to the role of minister's wife and full time mother of three daughters.
As a minister's wife, Thelma served a significant role in several United Methodist churches. After moving to Kingsport, Thelma began employment as a Graphic Artist at Tennessee Eastman Company, where she worked until retirement.
Thelma was quite active in retirement, and pursued spiritual growth and service to others. She served as an active member of Cassidy United Methodist Church, including the United Methodist Women. She was a member of National League of American Pen Women, Kingsport Art Guild, and Long Island Chapter of the DAR. She was a volunteer for Holston Valley Hospital. She received the J. C. Penny Golden Rule Award for her work as a reading tutor with the Literacy Council of Kingsport.
She continued her art, specializing in researching and painting family Coats of Arms and maintained a special interest in genealogy. She was voracious reader, a published writer, and an avid traveler. She enjoyed traveling with friends and family throughout the U.S. and abroad. At the time of her passing, she was in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and all of her daughters and son-in-law, Charlie, were at the bedside with her.
She loved life and people and considered needs of others before her own. She was cheerful and thankful in all things, even as she declined in health during the past four years. She was the most wonderful mother and grandmother ever!
She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law: Pam and Phil Watson, Atlanta; Karen and Charlie Cox, Kingsport; Denise and Chad Varga, Chattanooga; and two sisters and brothers-in law, Irma and Alan Webb Kingsport and Eula and Barry LaCroix Spartanburg, SC. She is also survived by grandchildren Trent, Travis, and Tim Watson and Natalie and Zachary Varga; as well as Beth Cox Brewer and Chris Cox, children of Charlie Cox, and their children; and several nephews and nieces.
Thelma's family will receive friends at Cassidy United Methodist Church on Saturday, September, 5, from 1 pm to 3 pm. A celebration of Thelma's life will begin at 3 pm, with burial immediately following in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens. Rev. Robert Burlingham and Rev. Larry DeVault will officiate. Grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Cassidy United Methodist Church / 5801 Memorial Blvd. / Kingsport, TN 37664.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thelma P. Parham, please visit our flower store.
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