Juanita Parham

Juanita Evangeline Dickey Parham, 82 years of age, affectionately known as “Topsy” to her family and close friends, was born on June 13, 1942 in Lynchburg, Virginia. She was born to the late Evelyn Kate McDaniel Dickey and Frank William Dickey, Sr. She departed this earth on Friday, May 16, 2025. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Oscar Lee Parham,Sr. of 52 years in marriage until his death in 2015; her four sisters, Katheryn Dickey Harris, Elsie Dickey Rackley, Audrey Dickey Robinson, Gladys Dickey Hillard and two brothers, Elmore and Frank Dickey, Jr. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, Somerset, N.J. As a child growing up and into her young adulthood, she was a long-time member of Peaceful Baptist Church in Lynchburg where she participated in youth programs, sang on the church’s choir and played the piano for the church services and programs. Juanita attended the public schools of Lynchburg, Virginia where she graduated from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School. She went on to attend and graduated from Virginia College obtaining her baccalaureate degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English. She then continued her post-secondary education at the University of Virginia completing her master’s level certification. A life-long learner as well as being known in the communities she served as a champion of children, she continued to obtain several educational certifications and training throughout her esteemed career as an educator and special education teacher within the public school system. Later in her career, she also held administrative and leadership roles at the collegiate-level within the CUNY (City University of New York) system focused on the “School to Careers” initiative and associated inaugural programs. Upon completion of her work at CUNY, and retirement, Juanita made the decision to become an entrepreneur focused on continuing to pursue her work as a champion of children’s education. She did this by opening “Learn and Play Daycare” that subsequently led to the growth of an additional daycare named “Peach Tree” within her local community where she lived and served in New Jersey. Throughout her life on this earth, Juanita worked with, supported and often nurtured thousands of children of various learning levels, grade-levels, learning challenges, backgrounds and all economic levels. She also guided and supported the parents of the children she worked with. There was no child that Juanita did not believe in. Also she believed she could help those children with succeeding not only academically, but oftentimes with accomplishing their overall aspirations and future goals. Juanita also believed in, continuously loved and supported another group of children until her departure on earth - her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. This was along with a host of nieces and nephews as the legacy holder and matriarch of the Parham Family. She leaves to cherish her memories and the love she gave to her daughter, Francine Parham of South Brunswick, N.J., Oscar (Gokulapriya Govindarajalu) Parham Jr. of New Brunswick, N.J., Nikki Parham of Charlotte, N.C., Lisa (Kasheem Grady) Parham-Grady of Charlotte, N.C., Maria Parham of Rahway, N.J. and Mark Parham of South Brunswick, N.J.; six grandchildren: Christopher Parham-Darabi of South Brunswick, N.J., Brianna-Azjané Parham of Charlotte, N.C., Matico Matlock of Charlotte, N.C., Michael-Raymond Taylor of Charlotte, N.C., Chloë Parham-Grady of Charlotte, N.C., and Solomon Parham-Grady of Charlotte, N.C. She is also survived by two beautiful great-grandchildren, Charlotte White and Maxine Matlock, both of Charlotte, N.C. along with many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Juanita Parham

June 13, 1942 - May 16, 2025