Susie Parham

Susie Parham, 71, of Fayetteville AR, departed this life on May 24, 2024 after a short but hard battle with cancer. Susie was born in Dermott, AR on August 14, 1952 to James and Catherine Chastain. After graduating from McGehee High School, she enrolled at the University of Arkansas in 1970 where she met Reece, her future husband. After graduating with a degree in education, she returned to her hometown for a position teaching special education. In the year she was there, her mother told her over and over that Reece would never wait to marry her.
The following school year Susie moved back to Fayetteville to work as a counselor, a position she would hold in several schools throughout her career. Susie and Reece were married on May 24, 1975 (yes, 49 years to the day) at Temperance Hill Methodist Church.
Susie's whole career focused on children, particularly those children who needed more care and attention. Children who needed more help in the classroom or with social concerns, more help with family life, food and shelter, security, or even an adult to listen.
Susie's love for children culminated in the surprise that she would have not one, but two boys. She gave birth to twins, Adam and Hunter, three minutes apart, on April 4, 1988. I have been told that we were challenging at times, but she always loved us and was always forgiving.
Her love for others was always just love. She never wanted recognition or praise; she often tried to stay anonymous or in the background. Though she retired in 2014, she continued working with children through different tutoring and church programs until 2020. She always came home with stories about the kids wearing a smile nobody could take away. In her last years she continued attending Bible study with a group of close friends.
In March of this year, she learned she had cancer and found out in April that it was terminal. Although her fight wasn't long, she fought it with acceptance, prayer, and support at home, hanging on to make it to her anniversary. She will surely be missed but her pain will not.
Memorial services will be 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville.