Earnest Truitt Parham

Mr. Earnest Truitt “Earnie” Parham, 84, husband of Brenda Rachel Brooks Parham, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021, at his residence following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born in Elberton on January 17, 1937, to Omer Sanford Parham, Sr. and Jewell Frances Hall Parham. Mr. Parham retired from Bellsouth and AT&T after 30 years of service. In 1986 he opened his own business, Earnie’s Communications. He provided communication services to local businesses for the next 30 years, retiring in 2016. He served his country in the Georgia National Guard and was a member and deacon of Antioch Baptist Church.

Mr. Parham is survived by his wife of 62 years, Brenda Rachel Brooks Parham; daughter, Carol (Randy) Rice of Elberton; son, Mitch (Janet) Parham of Watkinsville; daughter, Susan (Clay) Booth of Elberton; and grandson, Michael Miller, who referred to him as Papa “E” and was the light of his life. He is also survived by sisters-in-law: Anna Merle Parham, Betty Jean Parham, Estelle Parham, and Betty Joyce Parham; and many nieces and nephews.

A special thanks is extended to his caregiver, Ronnie Hughes, for his dedication to Mr. Parham and the family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Jefferson C. “JC” Parham, Julian G. Parham, Ralph C. Parham, Boyd H. Parham, Omer S. Parham, Jr., and Hugh D. Parham; and a sister, Mildred F. Veal.

Funeral services for Mr. Parham will be held at 2PM on Sunday, August 1, 2021, in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home with Rev. Ken Thrift and Rev. Jim McCollough officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park with Tim Parham, Bruce Parham, Glenn Parham, Steve Veal, Greg Yarborough, and Tommy Carroll serving as pallbearers.

The family is at the residence on Nickville Road, Elberton, and will receive friends from 12:30PM to 2PM just prior to the service at Berry Funeral Home on Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations be made to Friends Helping Friends, in honor of Michael Miller, 1027 Micliff Drive, Elberton, GA 30635 or to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Earnest Truitt “Earnie” Parham.