Martha Graham

Mrs. Martha Parkes Graham, age 86 and a longtime resident of Forest, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2019 at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, after a brief illness.

A Celebration of Life service will begin at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at the Forest United Methodist Church with Rev. David Slaughter officiating.

Music for the service will be provided by Mr. Tim Rigby, Mr. Bill Rigby and Mrs. Lesa Davis.

Visitation will be from 9:00 am – 10:45 am Thursday in the Family Life Center at Forest United Methodist Church.

Interment will follow in the Harperville Memorial Park under the direction of Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Forest.

Mrs. Graham was retired Fiscal Administrator with the Mississippi Department of Transportation, 5th District, after 42 years of service. She was a member of the Scott County Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and the Forest Mid-Centaury Club. Mrs. Graham also served as a Board Member of the Forest Housing Authority. An active member of Forest United Methodist Church, she was known for her selfless service to others. As quoted by her family, “she loved all, and was loved by all.”

Survivors include her daughter: Amy Graham (Doug) Ware of Thompsons Station, TN; two sisters: Nancy Hollingsworth of Lake and Lynn Lewis of Forest; one sister-in-law: Brenda Parkes of Decatur; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Sidney Graham; her parents; Thurman N. and Vashti Underwood Parkes and two brothers: Keith Parkes and Nicky Parkes.

Serving as pallbearers will be Allen Breland, Michael Hollingsworth, Jade Parkes, Eddie Clark, Carl Smith and Mark Graham.

Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Marveggio, Junior Madden, Bob Brown, Marie Graham, Glenda Smith, Martha Henry, Paula Clark, Bill Rigby, Tim Rigby, Durlicia Holifield, Michael Holifield, and the Austin Hunt Sunday School Class of Forest United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Forest United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 68, Forest, MS 39074.

Ott & Lee Funeral Home, 295 East First Street, Forest, MS served the Graham family.