January 11, 1933 – July 5, 2023
Vernell P. Flanders departed ths life on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at her residence in Jacksonville, NC where our Lord and Savior came to carry her home. She was born on January 11, 1933 in Stony Creek, VA to the late Harvey Parham and Vernell Givens Parham. Vernell’s mother died at an early age and she was raised by her loving grandparents, Luevenia and Charles H. Parham in Stony Creek, VA.
She attended the Little Mills School at an early age and graduated from Sussex County Training School in Waverly, VA at the age of 17 years. Vernell had a great zest for life. She truly loved the Lord, loved her family and friends, loved to cook, was a world traveler and was always there to lend a helping hand to others in time of need. At an early age, Vernell was raised up in First Baptist Church in Jarratt, VA, where she faithfully served in the choir and was Secretary of Sunday School until she moved to Evanston, IL in October 1954. She faithfully attended Springfield Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a member of the Courtesy Club, the Hospitality Ministry, Treasurer for Pastors Aid Committee, and Supervisor for the Youth Choir.
While visiting her sister in New York, she met, had a long courtship, and later married her late husband, Manuel Charles Flanders on July 16, 1960 in Evanston, IL. During their blissful union, they had one child, Libbi Monique. She spent 34 wonderful years with him before he was called to his heavenly home in 1994.
Vernell furthered her education by attending Business College in Evanston, IL, where she obtained her Licensed Practical Nurse certification in Des Plaines, IL in 1964. Upon completion, she was employed at Evanston Hospital as a Surgical Nurse and after giving 34 years of dedicated support and service to the medical field. She retired in July of 1995 and moved back to the State of Virginia where she reunited with her home church First Baptist Church Jarratt under the spiritual leadership of Reverend George R. Mayes, Jr. She served faithfully as President of the Missions Ministry for 5 years and also Vice-President of the Missionary Ministry. We are all abundantly blessed to have had such a wonderful, spirited women to cross our paths and touch our lives.
She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Libbi M. Beane (Darwin) of Jacksonville, NC; three sisters, Marie Tyler of Chester, VA, Mary M.Tillery (Albert) of Baltimore, MD and Esterlene Starks of Jamaica, NY; four brothers, J. Thomas Parham of Richmond, VA, Wayne Parham (Cathy) of Petersburg, VA, William Parham of Petersburg, VA and Windell Parham (Laurretha) of Petersburg, VA; a very close life-long friend, Gwendolyn Mitchell; two special nieces, Lisa Johnson and Cynthia Wilkes; a sweet goddaughter, Michelle “Mimi” Edelen; a spiritual adopted daughter, Delores “Dee” Sims; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Vernell was preceded in death by seven brothers, Stillman, Charlie, Harvey Jr., Levi, Clifton, John, Gerald, and Jeffery; and four sisters, Dorothy, Ethel, Evelyn, and Juanita. All of Vernell’s family and friends will miss her tremendousy.
“Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.” – Psalms 26:8
Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Thursday, July 13, 2023 at First Baptist Church, 18463 Little Mill Road, Jarratt, VA, the Rev. George R. Mayes, Jr., Pastor. The interment to follow in the church cemetery.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.