Almar Parham

Almar Parham was born on June 8, 1928, in Weir, Mississippi, to the union of Luther Coleman and Vera Hemphill. She was preceded in death by both parents.

At the age of 21, she moved to East St. Louis, Illinois. She married John H. Wesley, and from this union came two children. Later in life, she married Thomas P. Parham. Both of her husbands preceded her in death.

She worked for many years in housekeeping at Centerville Township Hospital, where she later retired.

Almar accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at Weir’s Chapel in Weir, Mississippi. She became a member of New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in 1979 and served on the Motherboard for several years.

She loved to sing, sew, fish, cook, and minister the gospel to everyone she met. To cherish Mother’s memory forever are her son, Richard Wesley; daughter, Catherine Braggs; son-in-law, Walter Braggs; sisters, Annie Lee Wiggins, Pearl Chisolm, and Alice Martin; brother, Benard Hemphill; grandchildren, Almar Waring and Shondia Cannon; grandson, Cornell Cannon; great-grandchildren, Carnell Cannon Jr., Catherine Waring, and Cornita Cannon; and a host of extended family and friends.