Sue Korthank Parham, passed away peacefully in Las Vegas, NM at the age of 86. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Lloyd of Las Vegas, NM; daughters Kim Parham of Albuquerque, NM, Kerry Holderbaum and her husband Mark of Denton, TX, K’Ann Parham of Allen, TX; granddaughters: Carla Luera and husband Jeremias of Lewisville, TXand Kristen Stewart and husband Millard of Suwanee, Georgia; grandsons: Jesse Holderbaum and finance Jennifer Clark and Linden Holderbaum of Denton, TX and great grandchildren, Alyssa, Zander, Luke, Noah and Nicholas. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son Buck Parham and an infant daughter, Carla Kay.
She was born on September 29, 1930 in Rose, Oklahoma to Johnie Mae and Conrad Korthank. She graduated from Oklahoma A & M University in 1952.with an Arts & Sciences degree. She married Lloyd Parham, her college sweetheart in1952. After graduation, she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and became a resident of Las Vegas in 1962.
Sue was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Her grandfather was Red Cloud Duncan, the last High Sheriff of the Cherokee Nation. She was proud to pass her Native American heritage on to her children and grandchildren. She was a avid genealogist, helping many people throughtout the nation trace their heritage. She was active in the First United Methodist Church in Las Vegas. She worked many years at Carnegie Library as well as serving on the library board. She was a volunteer with the Las Vegas Genealogy Society, the community soup kitchen, the Las Vegas Crisis Center, and volunteered as an organist with the First Christian Church when she first moved to Las Vegas. She loved singing with the NMHU concert community choir. She also loved exploring northern New Mexico often taking her young children with her while walking the Santa Fe Trail looking for relics.
Her children are most proud of her adventuresome spirit, acerbic wit, lyrical singing voice, and the ability to make friends with everyone. Not to mention her immense patience with her four children throughout their childhoods. Her family and friends now and will forever feel her presence. A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Rosemary Pierson will officiate at the ceremony with the eulogy given by pastor and long time friend, Ellen Swain. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Sue’s life. Burial will take place at a later date at the Elm Grove Indian Cemetery in Rose, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Talbot Library and Museum, 500 S. Colcord Ave., Colcord, Oklahoma, 74338.