Betty Jane “BJ” Parr Gorham

Betty Jane “BJ” Parr Gorham, a native of Athens, GA. died March 29 at Brookside Commerce, with family at her side. The youngest daughter of the late Henry Lewis Parr and Ruby Thomas Parr, she was born at home on Lumpkin St. in November 1926. Betty received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Georgia. She taught grades 1-3 for 21 years, retiring in 1985. When Betty married her former husband John Milton Gorham II in 1951, they left Georgia and ended up living in 9 states before she returned home to Athens in 1969. She is a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church but had been attending Chapelwood UMC with her daughter for the last few years.

Surviving are sons John Milton Gorham III (Cathi) of Fayetteville, TN and Mark Alan Gorham (Denise) of Queens, NY; daughters Frances Gorham (Susan) of Statham, GA; Joyce Gorham Osterman (Tony) of Virginia Beach, VA and Cathy Gorham Dawkins (Mike) of Buford, GA. Ten grandchildren, Tim, Tracy, Katie, Olya, Cristi, Breanne, Caitlyn, Maran, Sean (deceased) and Erin (deceased).  Seven great grandchildren, Makenna, Savannah, Claire, Colleen, Curtis, Andrew, and Presleigh.

Memorial Service will be at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 100 Janice Drive, Athens, GA 30606. Friday, April 7, 2017 at 11:00am with Rev. Gil McGinnis officiating. Visitation at church prior to service, 10:00-11:00.

Internment at Evergreen, Atlanta Hwy. Athens, following service, for family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Betty’s memory to Brookside Commerce (Alzheimer’s Fund), 199 West W. Gary Rd, Commerce, GA 30529.

Little Ward Funeral Home   115 State St.  Commerce, GA  30529   706-335-3175