Obituary of Miriam Powell Parham ~ 2007

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: The News & Observer Feb 7 2007

ORIENTAL - Miriam Powell Parham, 80, following a long illness and in the 
company of her loving husband and family, died peacefully at home on 
Deerfield Lane in Oriental on Tuesday, February 6, 2007.  
She is preceded in death by her parents, Martha Robertson Powell and James 
Francis Powell, and her brothers, James F. Powell, Jr. of Raleigh and 
Ralph R. Powell of Concord, NC.  
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Francis T. Parham "Pete" of
Oriental; daughter, Caroline Parham Whitehead of Oriental; sons, Thomas 
B. Parham and wife, Mary of Port Royal, SC, Peter R. Parham of Greenville, 
NC and James W. Parham and wife, Mary Ellen of Almond, NC. In addition to 
her four children, she is survived by 11 grandchildren; and four great-
grandchildren.  
Miriam attended Raleigh public schools, graduated from Henderson High 
School (NC) in 1943 and graduated from Meredith College in 1948. She 
taught school in High Point, NC and in Henderson, NC. She loved children 
and was loved by them. A firm believer in education, Miriam instilled in 
her four children the desire for a college education. All four graduated 
from college and two hold masters degrees. She was justly proud of her 
children.  Miriam was an excellent homemaker, a loving wife, and a 
tremendous support to her husband, Pete, in his career. They lived in 
Rome, GA for 17 years prior to moving to Oriental in 1987.  Miriam, a 
devout Christian, was raised in First Baptist Church in Raleigh. After 
marriage, she joined her husband in the Episcopal Church, where she taught
Sunday School for many years, served on the Altar Guild, and was a Lay 
Reader. She loved her Lord and her church, and she loved people.  
Miriam's work with children extended beyond school and Sunday School. 
She also was a Brownie Scout and Girl Scout leader for her daughter and a 
Cub Scout leader for all three sons. She was proud of her Scottish 
heritage and in later years traveled to Scotland twice to visit the home 
of her ancestors.  
A memorial service and celebration of the life of Miriam Powell Parham 
will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oriental 11:30 a.m. 
Saturday, February 10, 2007 with Rev. John Eberman officiating.  
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of 
Pamlico County, P.O. Box 959, Bayboro, NC 28515.  
Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home & Cremations, Alliance.





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