Ronald Parham

1937 - 2025

Hatley - Ronald Jackson Parham, 87, passed away surrounded by his family and friends at his home in Hatley on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. He was born on January 22, 1937, in Monroe County, to the late Clinton and Meda Hadaway Parham.

Ronald grew up in Monroe County and attended Smithville schools and eventually transferred to Hatley where he graduated with his High School class as the Valedictorian in 1954. He went on to further his education at Itawamba Junior College and then graduated from Mississippi State with a general business degree. He was a proud Patriot, being drafted to serve in the United States Army after college and he left the service after obtaining a Specialist E4 rank. Ronald was always proud of serving this great country.

He was a brilliant man, working at both Glenn Manufacturing Company as well as Edward Hyman Company in Prentiss County, MS. He then went to work for Amory Garment and worked for over 35 years as an engineer, retiring in 2000, as the Chief Engineer. Needless to say, the man had a great work ethic and made many friendships over the years. He was a great role model and supporter of his family, and they are all so thankful for the many years he worked to help raise his family.

God blessed Ronald with a faithful and loving wife, Peggy Jane Ledbetter, whom he married on August 23, 1964. They were given sixty wonderful years together as well as three children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His wife was his best friend, they experienced the highs and lows in life together, always holding fast to their love for each other and their faith in God. Their families grew and the legacy of his love and wisdom is apparent in the gratitude of his children and grandchildren. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Amory and loved his church family as his own. Ronald touched so many hearts through the years as he was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

In his downtime, besides being with his family, he liked to hang out with his close friends James Carter and Susan Pinkard. Ronald was an avid Case knife collector and enjoyed adding to his collection whenever possible. He loved MSU Sports always wearing maroon, he also cheered for the Atlanta Braves, watched the Dallas Cowboys and most of all celebrated when others accepted Jesus as their Savior.

His family and friends will miss him so much yet they know that he has ultimately become totally healed. The memories made with him will be cherished and the generations to come will pass on his legacy of love and service.

He is survived by his best friend, his wife of 60 years, Peggy Jane Parham, Hatley; daughters, Julie Clay (Mark), Amory, Jeannie McNinch (Clint), Saltillo; son, Clint Parham (Kristy), Layton, UT; sister, Letitia Parham Horton, Tupelo; brothers-in-law, Tom Ledbetter (Donna), Lewes, Delaware, Mickey McDonald, Foley, AL, Terry Ledbetter (Marla), Tupelo; sisters-in-law, Nancy Ledbetter, Tupelo, Karen Ledbetter (Billy), West Point; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; special friends, James Carter and Susan Pinkard; special Caregiver, Kim Jarrett; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Jackson Parham; brothers-in-law, Mark Ledbetter and Dr. Homer Horton; and sister-in-law, Celia McDonald.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 2:00 pm at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home in Amory, MS with Dr. Allen Simpson officiating. Burial will follow in Amory Historic Cemetery, Amory, MS with pallbearers being Clint Alan Clay, Tyler Clay, Drake McNinch, Zach McNinch, and Jonathan Christian. Honorary pallbearers will be the former employees of Amory Garment Company.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday evening, January 8, 2025, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the funeral home in Amory, MS. Visitation will also take place from 1:00 pm until the service hour on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com