Linda Parham Blythe

Published 4:37 pm Tuesday, September 18, 2018

COURTLAND — Linda Parham Blythe, 76, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018.

Linda Parham Blythe

Born in Capron on Sept. 4, 1942, Linda lived most of her life in Courtland.

She graduated from Southampton High School, and was employed by Narricot Industries in Boykins for 34 years. Linda also worked for Grayson and Emma’s Garden Spot, where she was well known for her home-style collard greens. Most, though, will remember her for the many days she spent at the corner of Route 58 and Shady Brook Trail selling watermelons. It was a favorite spot for locals and travelers to visit and get the best melons of the year.

Linda’s family knew she had a double green thumb because anything she planted flourished. She frequently returned from Lowe’s with “orphans” that would thrive everywhere — in the yard, in all types of containers, even in cardboard boxes.

She was into recycling before recycling was in vogue. She loved yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores and finding a bargain. Many of her finds decorated yard and home, and quite often found their way to family and friends’ homes. She truly believed that one person’s junk was another person’s treasure, and she found many treasures in her lifetime.

She loved to cook, bake and can, and shared this talent with all. Nothing could compare to her sweet potato pies, apple jacks and pineapple cake; and no one will ever be able to duplicate her cornbread dressing or her wonderful pots of homemade soup.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis Thomas Parham and Elizabeth Lovegrove Parham; her brothers, Louis and Russell Parham; and a sister, Betty. Also preceding her in death were half-brothers, Robert Lee and Thomas Parham; and half-sisters, Nancy Moon and Hettie Murphy.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Blythe Darden (Ernest Wheeler) of Courtland; her grandchildren, Jason (Kelsie Foreman), Adam and Brookelyn Darden; and her great-granddaughter, Ellie James Darden. She is also survived by her son, W. Christopher Blythe (Kim Hester) of Capron; and granddaughter, Alaina Blythe. Additional survivors are sisters, Barbara P. Bryant of Courtland and Judith P. Davis of Yorktown; sisters-in-law, Joyce W. Parham and Louise P. Collins; a longtime friend, Ann Forrest Pope, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Following Linda’s wishes, her body was donated to science.

The remembrance gathering will be on Sunday, Sept. 23, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Capron Community Center.