Rosa Parhams

A memorial service for Rosa Lee Parhams, 82, of Roswell will be held at 1 pm Friday, November 18, 2011 at Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Landjur Abukusumo officiating. Burial to follow at South Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, November 17, 2011, 4:00 -7:00 pm. Rosa was born on May 27, 1929 in Goldhill, NC. At an early age, she and her family moved to Roanoke, VA. She lived in Roanoke until she graduated from Lucy Addison High School and then moved to Washington, DC to find work. It was there that she met and married Charlie Thomas Monroe, now deceased. From that union three children were born, Janet D. Allen, Ricardo Monroe and Randolph Monroe. The marriage did not last. Rosa was introduced to Jesse J. Parhams by a good friend. They fell in love and were married in Roswell, NM on July 12, 1958. Jesse was in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Eustis, VA.; after the wedding they made their temporary home there and from that union, Curtis Jay was born. In 1969, Rosa and Jesse moved to Roswell, NM. Jesse still in the military, retired shortly thereafter. Rosa was a wonderful homemaker. She loved to cook and sew. She was very famous for her pound cakes, apple pies and punch bowl cakes. During the holidays you could always find lots of food and desserts in the Parham’s household. She was a jack of many trades. She was a wonderful seamstress. There were many people who sought out her services for alterations and the making of clothes. She worked at Sears for many years and people would seek her to help find clothing for their children. Rosa was a den mother for Curtis’ Boy Scout Organization and also a county extension worker. Rosa was a cancer survivor and during the time of her recovery there was no one in Roswell to provide information or help those who had undergone mastectomies. Rosa was instrumental in starting the “Reach for Recovery” chapter in Roswell. She was Roswell’s first “Reach for Recovery” volunteer. Rosa’s faith was very strong and she fervently believed that God would make a way out of no way. Through all of her illnesses, she always found the strength from within to keep going. You could call on her at any time and she would be there to give you all of the support she could. She was very active in her church, Washington Chapel Christian Worship Center, as an usher and stewardess and remained so until age prevented further service. One of Rosa’s favorite comforts, even as a child, was to find a quiet secluded place and take a nap. Rosa loved to sleep. On November 6, 2011, after eating lunch, Rosa laid down for an afternoon nap. She was enjoying her sleep and our Father in Heaven let her sleep on and carried her home. Rosa leaves to celebrate her home going, daughter, Janet D. Allen (Roswell, NM); sons, Ricardo Monroe (Washington, DC), Randolph Monroe (Dayton, Ohio) and Curtis J. Parhams and partner Joel McCabe (Buckeye, AZ); granddaughter, Jacqueline Slayton-Clark and husband Alfred Clark (Lubbock, TX); grandson, Mateo Parhams McCabe (Buckeye, AZ); great grandchildren, Ta’Shayla, Shaquaya and Laker; great-great grandchildren, Da’Mauryay, E’lon, Eliziah’ and Dezmond. She also leaves Justus and Christine Bowe, Juanita Green, Larone Graham, Priscilla Washington, Fred Wagoner, Tyrone Wagoner and Alvo Wagoner. There are many nieces, nephews and cousins, too many to name and so many friends who never hesitated to ask about her wellbeing. Preceding her death was her husband of 46 years, Jesse J. Parhams; Mother, Hattie B. Jackson; Father, Fred E. Moss; Brothers, Fred Moss, Jr., Joe Moss and Robert Moss; Grandson, Kyle Wesley Allen. Her circle of life continues. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories in the online register book at andersonbethany.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Rosa Parhams

May 27, 1929 - November 6, 2011