J. L. Parham

Canton – James Lonnie “J. L.” Parham, 80, passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at CarePartners Hospice in Asheville surrounded by his loving family.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Reverend William Carter Parham and Mary Wilson Parham.  He was also preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Verneta Ann Sheffield Parham, who passed away in 2011 and three siblings:  Boyce Parham, Gail Parham Lewis and Jimmy Parham.  J. L. retired from Champion International in 2002 with 44 years of service.  He was a member of the Champion Old Timers and Long’s United Methodist Church.  J. L. loved woodworking, camping and traveling, but most of all J. L. loved his family deeply and enjoyed spending time with them.  He was a United States Army veteran.

He is survived by a son, James Alan Parham (Stacie) of Knoxville, Tennessee; a daughter, Sharon Parham of Spartanburg, South Carolina; four grandchildren, Lucy Parham Davis, Logan Carter Parham, Grace E. Vandegrift and Tabitha Colter; a great grandson, Harrison Robert Davis; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Parham and Emma Jean Singleton; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Elsie Harkins of Canton.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Peter Constantian and Reverend Aryn  Williams-Ruebel officiating.  Burial will follow at Long’s Community Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the United States Army.  The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Gina Singleton and Dr. Rodney Perez for the wonderful care given to their father.

Memorials may be made to Long’s Community Cemetery Fund, 587 Evans Road, Canton, NC  28716.

Due to COVID–19, masks and social distancing will be observed.

The care of Mr. Parham has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes of Canton and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com