Reverend James Franklin "Sonny" Parham

James "Sonny" Franklin Parham, 92, passed away at his home in Canton on December 19, 2025, with his family by his side.

Born on May 10, 1933, James grew up in the Thickety community of Canton and graduated from Canton High School in 1951. At age 18, he felt God calling him to the ministry. For the next 74 years, James faithfully carried out that commitment to care and minister to other people in both his official positions as a Pastor or Chaplain but also in his personal relationships.

James was ordained to the ministry by Oak Grove Baptist Church in 1959. He attended Gardner Webb College Jr. College and then Carson-Newman College, where he earned a B.A. degree in 1955. He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity and Master of Religious Education degrees in 1959.

James served in numerous ministry positions throughout his career. He was an intern chaplain at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans in (1958 to 1959), served as Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church in Asheville and Pastor of Revell Chapel (1959 to 1965), Pastor of Cherryfield Baptist Church in Brevard, NC (1965-1971); Associate Pastor and Minister of Education and Youth at First Baptist Church in Belmont, NC (1972-1975); Pastor of Hoskins Avenue Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC (1975-1979); and Pastor of Clyde First Baptist Church in Clyde, NC (1979-1993).

After leaving Clyde First Baptist in 1993, he served at Spring Hill Baptist Church and Crabtree Baptist church as an interim Pastor. James served as President of Haywood County Hospital Chaplains for the Haywood Ministerial Association and eventually served as a chaplain at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde, NC until he retired in 2010.

Outside of work, James loved hunting, fishing, picking berries, and spending time with his family and friends. He loved people and is remembered by his friends for his honesty, humility, integrity, kindness, his smile, his laughter, and, most of al,l his genuine care for others. People from all periods of his life have constantly shared what a positive impact James had on their lives.

James is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy, his two sons, Charles (Carleen) and Alan (Kim), 6 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is sister Winfred Henderson of Canton, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Ruth Cabe Parham; his brothers, Lloyd Parham. Jr. and Billy Moore; sisters, Madge Rathbone, Ruth James, Ruby Vanhook, Francis Carter, Virginia Duckett, and Emma Lou Saxton

Funeral Service will be held at Clyde First Baptist Church on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service (12:00 – 2:00 pm). Burial will follow at Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Rock Steady Boxing – A Parkinson's wellness recovery program designed to help maintain or restore skills that deteriorate and interfere with everyday movements. Donations can be made through the YMCA of Western North Carolina (Sponsor for Rock Steady Boxing) at the following link: https://www.ymcawnc.org/give. Please include a note that your donation is "In Honor of James Parham for Rock Steady Boxing."