John Furman Parham

John Furman Parham, 83, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at the St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals. Mr. Parham was a native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County. He loved to travel, and he and his wife visited all 50 United States, several European countries, Mexico, and Canada. He was a member of Freedom Baptist Church, and retired from CP&L and BASF. Mr. Parham was passionate about his work as an electrician. He maintained his license and continued working in the field until he was unable to a few weeks ago. Mr. Parham was a son of the late Edgar Jacob Parham and Pearl Lawrence Parham. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Rebecca Jo Taylor Parham, who passed away on September 25, 2014. Surviving are his children: Regina Parham of Raleigh, Johnna Parham of Asheville, and Keith Parham of Candler; granddaughter, Arrianne Rebecca Corbley and husband Jon of Canton; great-granddaughter, Lilith Aylin Corbley; sisters: Jeanette Parham Roberts, Aline Parham Fortner, and Joanne Parham; brother, Eugene Parham; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Sunday, September 17, 2017 at Freedom Baptist Chruch with Rev. Dr. Keith Hutchinson officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Saturday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. The Parham family would like to extend a special Thank You to Dr. Trevor Austin and the Oncology nursing staff at the St. Joseph Campus for their exceptional care given to Mr. Parham. In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, or to Freedom Baptist Church, 50 Rice Road, Asheville, NC 28806.