Marie was born on November 6, 1939 in Franklin, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Cliff Sullivan, sister Nancy Johnston, her mother Allene Parham and father Ernest Edward “Jack” Parham.
Marie is survived by her husband Tony Earp, daughter, Sharon Buwalda (Geoff) and stepson, Darryl Earp. She was a loving grandmother to Jennifer Buwalda, Amy Buwalda and Andrew Earp (Chelsea), she was a great grandmother to Lillian Haislip, Jacob Goad, Tristian Buwalda, and Athena Earp. She is also survived by her sister, Linda Lampley and brother, Gerald Parham.
Marie lived a full life loving her family and friends. She began her career with the Tennessee Department of Revenue and became a stay at home mom until her daughter began school. She worked with Belmont University’s Department of Education before returning to State government where she served under several Commissioners of the Department of Agriculture. She was a founding member of Hickory Hollow Baptist Church, serving as president of the corporation. Marie will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
Serving as pallbearers are: Andrew Earp, John Hiett, Daniel Lampley, Ryan Lampley, Tim Lampley, and Jeremy Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers are: Geoff Buwalda, Matthew O’Dell, Don Johnston, Derek Johnston and Eric Johnston.
A celebration of Marie’s life will be held at Woodlawn – Roesch – Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN on Thursday, February 27, 2020 beginning at 2:30 p.m. Visitation will be on Wednesday February 26, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and again on February 27, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visitation will be held in the Dogwood Room.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greenbrier Cemetery where Marie’s parents and sister are buried in care of Mrs. Emma Jean Fox, 5736 Greenbrier Road, Franklin, TN 37064.
