Dorothy Sue Parchman, age 89 years, 8 months and 8 days, was met by our God and Father on the morning of May 2, 2026 as she was welcomed into her Heavenly home.
Born August 24, 1936 at home in Dickson County to the late Alonzo and Fannie Seals.
Nan, Nana, Mom, Momma – who could’ve imagined that these titles of endearment would represent more than words can even describe, but we are going to try, because our sweet, loving matriarch meant so much to us.
She was truly a force to be reckoned with – one of the strongest women we’ve ever known. She could outwork any man in the tobacco or hay field and was pretty proud of the fact. She loved being outdoors in the yard with her flowers or in the vegetable garden. A seasoned green thumb inherited from her Granny. She could bring the sickliest plants back to life. She was a school bus driving legend known by many as Ms. Parchman, respectfully. She drove that bright yellow bus number 7 for Dickson Co. Transportation from Sept. 10, 1971 until her retirement in early 2004 (just imagine how many lives were impacted in those 33 years of service to the community). She loved babies and children (I mean you would have to love them based on some of the stories we’ve heard from her bus driving days). She gave out lunch money, snacks, hats, and coats to children more times than we can count or remember. She hauled those kids on the bus and would stick around long enough to carry those kid’s kids! She was everyone’s “mom” and was kindly referred to as Ma Parchman from her bus “kids” still to this day. She was a giver, and more specifically, a caregiver to so many. This included animals. She loved the creatures of the fields and skies, but had a very special place in her heart reserved for dogs. We could go on and on about the many breeds she raised over the years. Oh so many puppies & animals – cows, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, mules, quails, pheasant, rabbits, chickens, ferrets, hamsters, Guinea pigs, cats were raised on her little farmstead. She loved these animals avidly, especially her slightly obese pug, Pugsley, who would see her through and be by her side to the very end. She was tenacious, spicy red, stubborn, strong-willed, gentle, beautiful, kind and so loving. If she set her mind to it, no matter the odds, she found a way to get it done. She gave stubborn a whole new meaning and showed us that a Diet Dr. Pepper and a Little Debbie fig bar could get you a long ways in life. She loved bigger than anyone else we knew whether it was through caring for others, or just outside playing with her children or grandchildren, making mud pies and building dirt tracks, fun where you didn’t need toys just each other, or through her favorite love language, food. Actually, that’s a combination of acts of service (cooking the meal), receiving gifts (the meal was a “gift”), quality time (so many hours spent around the kitchen table), words of affirmation (she would encourage and inspire you in those frequent encounters), and you couldn’t leave the house without physical touch (a big hug and peck on the cheek) – still talking to you as you went out the door. She was well-versed in all of the love languages!
She was our best friend – a true friend – the kind that sticks with you no matter what. The kind that loves you unconditionally (you know, the one that helps you bury the body & keeps your secrets). There’s nothing we could ever do to lose that love. We are finding now that kind of love can’t be severed, even in death. It only grows stronger when you realize it knows no bounds. The Greeks called it “agape” – characterized by unconditional acceptance, selfless giving, forgiveness and grace. We pray others know it as we have. Jesus spoke of such love and she followed and loved Jesus. She followed Him all the way to that house of many rooms prepared just for her! She spoke about our Savior with a love only a child would know for their Heavenly Father. She was constantly speaking prayers over her family and asking God’s protection over her and her family because she knew God listened and she knew He answered prayers. We remember her speaking very fondly of Jesus, her home church, Sylvia Baptist (baptized and thus a formal member since August 16th, 1959), and she couldn’t wait to listen to the Sunday programs. As she lost her sight, she found comfort in sound and music, an extended love of all music which included country, southern gospel, and, of course, those classic hymns that she grew up singing in church. We are blessed in knowing that not a page, not a book, could hold all the accolades but rather those are held in our hearts and the hearts of those that loved her.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, Stacy Parchman, her first born daughter Sherry Lynn Johnson, her brother Wesley Dale Seals, niece Connie Seals Estes, as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Those left to cherish her memories and continue her legacy of love include daughters Rachel Luster (Jamey) & Crystal Holloway (Joe), grandchildren Mary McCutchen, Dustin Tidwell (Sierra), D.J. Tidwell, Jordan Luster, Jaycie Luster Holloway (Caden), Ayden Luster, Anna Holloway, and Joey Holloway (Lilith). Great grandchildren include Kay/KK Goodstein, Stark Tidwell and Rhonan Tidwell and lastly her beloved fur companion Pugsley.
In lieu of flowers please honor Dorothy with a donation to the Sylvia Baptist Church Building Fund or the Dickson County Humane Society. If you have a favorite memory please share with us.
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.
Special thanks to our Sylvia Baptist Church family, Ken and Cindi Brown, Home Care Solutions (Maria Sloan), Caris Health (Cassie), & Mrs. Janice Hamilton.