Obituary: Ruth M. Parnham

Ms. Parnham, 97, of Winter Garden, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018.

By Amy Quesinberry
| 2:29 p.m. March 14, 2018

West Orange Times & Observer
Obituaries

Ruth M. Parnham, age 97, of Winter Garden, passed away at Orlando Regional Medical Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018.

She was born on Feb. 11, 1921, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, the daughter of George R. Griffiths and Carolyn Griffiths. She graduated from McKeesport High School, Class of 1939.

Her first career was as a Big-Band singer in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. She married Major League pitcher Louis Norman “Bobo” Newsom in 1942 and travelled with him to all of the Major League venues. In 1953, she and “Bobo” retired to the Orlando area, and she has been a resident of this area ever since. She also worked at Diana Shops and Petrie Stores.

She married James Parnham in 1991.

Ruth is survived by her brother, George Roger Griffiths; brother-in-law, Bob Cutting; four nephews; one niece; and six great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jean Cutting; and two husbands.

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. March 27, 2018, at Hyde Park Community. Please come and share stories and memories of Ruth with her family and friends.

author

Amy Quesinberry

Community Editor Amy Quesinberry was born at the old West Orange Memorial Hospital and raised in Winter Garden. Aside from earning her journalism degree from the University of Georgia, she hasn’t strayed too far from her hometown and her three-mile bubble. She grew up reading The Winter Garden Times and knew in the eighth grade she wanted to write for her community newspaper. She has been part of the writing and editing team since 1990.