Elizabeth "Bessie" Holt Parham

Bessie was born on September 17, 1934 in Erwin, NC where she spent her formative years. She graduated from Erwin High School in 1952. She went on to attend Greensboro College for 2 years and then transferred to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a BA in Education. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Bessie is survived by her son, Holt and wife Terri; her daughter, Liz and husband Randall. Also surviving are a nephew Sam Lewis and his wife Lynn; a great-nephew John Lewis; and a great-niece Maggie Lewis.

Bessie was preceded in death by her husband Lewis H. Parham, Jr. (married for 56 years); her father Dr. William Preston Holt Jr; her mother Flora Jerome Holt; her sister Nancy Holt Lewis; and her last and favorite dog London.

She was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday School for many years and became an Elder.

She will be remembered for her loving nature, generosity and kindness. Her spirit will live on in the many lives she touched. The family appreciates the many friends who came to visit Bessie in her declining health; it meant a lot to her and the family.

Special thanks and deep appreciation to Home Instead of Charlotte who was her caregiving agency since 2019. Bessie and her family formed special relationships with her caregivers, especially the ones that were with her most recently and the longest including Tamika, Bea, Glenda, Karen and Janice.

The family will have a private graveside interment at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Humane Society of Charlotte (1348 Parker Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208) or any charity of your choice.

McEwen Funeral Service– Pineville Chapel will be handling arrangements.