Virginia Sue Parham Whitaker

Virginia Sue Parham Whitaker entered her eternal home Wednesday, September 14, 2016. She was the second child and first daughter born January 4, 1920 to the late Alpheus Lewis Parham and Avonia Frances Jones Parham of Person County.

Also preceding her in death was her husband of 56 years, Richard Craig Whitaker; brother, A. L. Parham; and sister, Ruth Parham Gravitt.

Virginia worshipped at Mill Creek Baptist Church where she was baptised and publically showed her belief in Christ Jesus as her Savior. She attended Bethel Hill High School graduating in 1938. She then entered Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Winston Salem. While enrolled there she was selected to receive additional training in pediatrics in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her love of children was evident then and remained so throughout her life. She successfully completed her Board Exam for Registered Nursing and in 1941 began her career as a Registered Nurse at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem. She retired from Western Electric in Winston Salem after many years of service as an Occupational Health Nurse.

On December 19, 1941, Virginia married Richard Craig Whitaker and they established their lifelong home in Winston Salem. While their marriage was not blessed with children of their own, they shared their love and care with their nieces, nephews and then great-nieces and great-nephews.

Surviving are her brother, Samuel Richard Parham of Roxboro, NC; sister Frances Parham Kaylor and brother-in-law Ronald G Kaylor, Sr of Conover, NC; and sister Callie Parham Watson of Roxboro, NC. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews who hold her memory dear.

Virginia was the photographer of the family; having enrolled in various photography classes. She always had a camera nearby.

Family members benefited from Aunt Virginia’s gifts of beautifully decorated cakes, homemade candies including her specially flavored lollipops, knitted and crocheted toboggans, sweaters, mittens and layette items. After church on Easter Sunday a family lunch included her much sought after deviled eggs. She is remembered for her uniquely dyed Easter Eggs and for tirelessly hiding them for the Easter Egg Hunt. A visit to her home always included snacks, toys, drawing paper, crayons and, weather permitting, a walk to a nearby park. Last Christmas, as always Aunt Virginia made sure that family members received Moravian cookies. When she began to recruit drivers to get the cookies, her loved ones learned just how unique these cookies were and to what extent Aunt Virginia had been going to get them. These cookies did not come from a grocer or a baker close to her home. Virginia kept a list of who liked what flavor best and drove out into the Forsyth county to get what she considered were the very best Moravian cookies.

Most of all Virginia will be remembered for the love and care she gave in times of joy and of illness. She rocked many newborns, prepared meals, washed clothes and offered her nursing skills to family members and friends at home and in the hospital. Time and again she said that she loved nursing and taking care of people. Based on the people met during outings in Forsyth County, Virginia was recognized as an excellent nurse. Our family was blessed to have such a role model when Aunt Virginia was with us on earth. When she decided to accomplish something she made certain to complete the act with perfection. She did not complain even when in great pain. During her brief illness she praised her caregivers and continued to ask about others in the family who were experiencing difficulties. She loved the Lord and was a faithful servant who shared her love and her earthly gifts with those in need. She will be missed, but those who knew and loved her are confident that they will be united with her in heaven.

The service for Virginia Parham Whitaker will be held at Frank Volger and Sons Funeral Home on 2951 Reynolda Road in Winston Salem on Saturday September 17th.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm until 2:45 pm. The Service of Remembrance will be held at 3pm in the chapel at Volgers with the

Reverend Mike Sands officiating.

Burial will follow at the mausoleum in Forsyth Memorial Park immediately after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brenner Children’s Hospital, Office of Philanthropy, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, PO Box 571021, Winston Salem, North Carolina 27157-1021 or Mill Creek Baptist Church, 6817 Boston Rd. Roxboro, NC 27574.

Condolences may be sent to the Whitaker family at www.drumfh-conover.com

The Whitaker family as entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home and Cremations in Conover.