Obituary: Hortense Parham
Hortense Melançon Parham was born July 20, 1939 in Hickory Valley, Tennessee to J. L. Ferguson and Lillian Ferguson, who preceded her in death. Hortense was a graduate of Allen White High School. She subsequently matriculated to the Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee where she received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Home Economics. She then began her teaching career in Hayti, Missouri, where she met her first husband Donald Melançon, Ph.D. After relocating to Illinois, Hortense completed her Masters degree in Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Hortense taught Home Economics in the Kankakee, Illinois school system, for the rest of her career. The union of Hortense and Donald gave birth to two sons. Upon retirement, Hortense moved back to Tennessee. After being widowed, Hortense reunited with her high school sweetheart, Reverend Robert Parham.
Hortense confessed her faith in Christ as her personal Savior at an early age at Mays Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Hickory Valley, Tennessee. She later in life moved her membership from Catholic denomination to Baptist at Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Bolivar, Tennessee.
Hortense was a dedicated and committed mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, teacher, and friend. She raised her children to be strong and independent adults.
Hortense was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Cecelious (Sunny) Ferguson and Robert (Punkin) Ferguson; and sister, Imogene Cox.
Hortense leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Reverend Robert Parham; two sons, Douglas Melançon, M.D. and Girard Melançon, Ph.D.; two daughters-in-law, Anne Maitland, M.D., Ph.D. and Sylvia Melançon, Ph.D.; four grand-children, Jarred Melançon, Abiona (Abi) Melançon, Miles Melançon, and Madeline Melançon; three sisters, Arnetter Wheeler (Joe Wheeler) , Sanda Ann Westland, and Mary Alice Ferguson; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, family and friends, and her gardens.
Public Viewing: Greater Springfield Missionary Baptist Church, 407 South Madison Street, Bolivar, Tennessee, 38008, on Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Funeral Service: Greater Springfield Missionary Baptist Church, 407 South Madison Street, Bolivar, Tennessee, 38008, on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 12 p.m.
Courtesy of Dixie Funeral Home, Bolivar, Tennessee.
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