Martha Sue Parchman Mainord

Martha Sue Parchman Mainord passed away on Saturday March 1st, 2025, at the age of 85 yrs, 4 months, 24 days at her home in Henderson, TN with her devoted daughter at her side. She was born on a Sunday of October 8th, 1939, in the Five Points Community of Pinson, TN, the 5th child of the 10 children born to James Cornelia "J.C." Parchman (died 11/18/1956) and Bertha Edna Johnson Parchman (died 3/24/1948). She attended County Line School until the 8th grade when she and her older brother Jerrell took on the responsibility of raising their younger siblings after the early death of their mother and later their father.

 She married Horace Ray Mainord on Jan. 25th, 1964 and they briefly lived in Beech Bluff and Memphis and then moved to the New Friendship Community. They had 2 children that were born, Timothy Ray Mainord and Debbie Sue Mainord. 

 She was a homemaker all her life and especially enjoyed cooking and collecting & reading cookbooks. She enjoyed watching TN Volunteers sports and the Lady Vols were her favorite. She also liked to garden, grow flowers, and watch hummingbirds feed on the sugar solution she had made for them. She was also a caregiver for the late Carl and Pearl McAdams and considered them as a second father and mother. 

 When she was able, she helped her daughter deliver Meals on Wheels to the homebound and made weekly visits to encourage the residents of various nursing homes and assisted living facilities. She gave her heart to Jesus and was baptized in 1957 and was a longtime faithful member of (New) Friendship Baptist Church in Beech Bluff, TN and it deeply saddened her when she could not attend as frequently due to poor health. 

 She is survived by her daughter Debbie Sue Mainord, sister Ruth Reddin, sister-in-law Barbara Parchman (husband Neil deceased) all of Henderson. Her brothers David Parchman (Glenda) of Pinson and Donald Parchman (Joan) and sister-in-law Julia Webb Parchman (husband Jerrell deceased) all of Jackson. Her nieces Amanda Dubose (Eric), Michelle Knight (Eddie), Sherry Henley (Dell) all of Henderson. Nieces Sonya Manual (Fred) of Nevada, Kim Buckles (Terry) of Texas. Her nephews Jay Parchman, Jeff Parchman (Cassie) both of Jackson, nephew James Reddin of Henderson. Nieces Diane Gaugh (Lee) and Wanda Mainord, Nephews Johnny Jr. and Jason Malone and several other great nieces, great nephews, cousins and one special cousin Gaynell Brand and by her longtime friends she considered as family; Walter & Luella Willis and their children Walter Jr. "Legs" and Gus Willis, Bertha "Gator" Jones whose children she considered to be her grandkids.

 She was preceded in death by her husband Ray on Nov.12th,1981, her son Tim on Sept.12,2008, three brothers Jerrell, Neil and Dennis Parchman, sister and brother-in-law Ann and Roy Brannon and two infant sisters. Her niece Stacie Brannon Bates, nephews Paul Parchman and Dennis Mainord, her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Judy and Johnny Malone Sr., Harold and Lottie Mainord, Beverly and Ed Stewart. 

 Cats were her favorite pets, and she had several to precede her with the last one being her beloved "Lucy" who had lived for 14 years and died in 2016.

 She will be greatly missed by other longtime church and community friends, but she has a new address now on the Street of Gold where she is with Jesus her Savior and other precious family and friends who are already there.

Her favorite Bible chapter is Psalms 23 and she truly "will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." 

Her daughter would like to thank Hospice of West Tennessee staff members Nancy B., Shauna D., Gary W., Kayla P., Br. Curtis H., Dana C., Marquesia B., Lisa P., Sarah H., Lisa H., Chris D., and Volunteer Melissa P. for the excellent care they provided Martha these past several months. A special thanks also to caregiver Robin Nelson who assisted Martha as well. Appreciation also is given to a dear friend and hairstylist Barbara Latham of Classic Cuts who kept Martha’s hair styled and looking beautiful.

The Pallbearers will be Bobby Bray, Glen Jones, Jonathan Jones, Lee Jones, Norris McCaskill, and Jeff Parchman. Honorary pallbearer is James Reddin.

Family will receive friends for visitation from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday March 5th, 2025, and again from 9:00 am until start of service at 11:00 am on Thursday March 6th, 2025.

 Funeral services will be Thursday March 6th, 2025, at 11:00 am at Shackelford Funeral Directors-East Main Street (Johnson) Chapel with Bro. Glenn Harris officiating. Burial will follow at New Friendship Cemetery in Beech Bluff, TN.