Mrs. Velma Boulware Parsons Hair

Velma Boulware Parsons Hair died on February 19, 2015 at the age of 94. She was a resident of Wildewood Downs, Columbia. Born January 22, 1921, Velma was the daughter of the late Edward Thomas Boulware and Eva Hair Boulware. She grew up in Fairfield County and graduated from Chester High School. She married Sterling George Parsons of Georgetown SC who preceded her in death in 1971. Velma and Sterling had one son, the late Dr. George Sterling Parsons of Columbia. In her earlier years, she devoted her life exclusively to being a wife and mother. Velma and Sterling were active members of Eau Claire Baptist Church, working with the youth of the church. Up until her death, she remained very close to this youth group. Later, Velma worked for 30 years as a civilian employee at Fort Jackson US Army Hospital Clinics, now known as Moncrief Army Community Hospital. After Sterling’s death, she later married James Thomas Hair (Jimmy) of Columbia. They were married 37 years, until his death in 2009. They had many happy years together and traveled often. During her marriage to Jimmy, she became a Lutheran and was active in both Bethel and Reformation Lutheran Churches. Velma was a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O) Chapter M and Settlers Club where she served in leadership positions, often hosting meetings. A beautiful, outgoing, person, Velma considered her roles of wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend as priorities above all others. She is survived by two grandchildren, Nicole Parsons Harwell (John) of Denver, Colorado, and Kent Sterling Parsons (Shannon) of West Columbia, SC; six great-grandchildren; sister, Carolyn Boulware Steinbeck of The Villages of Florida, Florida; brothers, Thomas Edward Boulware (Judi) of Suches, Georgia, and Carlton Lane Boulware (Laurie) of North Augusta, SC; loving nieces and nephews; and a group of cherished friends. She remained close to Sterling’s family throughout her life. Her daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Parsons, lovingly cared for her until her death. In addition to her devoted son, George, Velma was preceded in death by sisters, Reba Boulware Rawls, Dorothy Boulware Thompson, and Fannie Lee Boulware Johnson; and brother, Hayne C. Boulware. The family expresses their special appreciation to the Assisted Living Staff of Wildewood Downs and Palmetto Health Hospice Staff, Deenene Monts, RN, Joye Jones, MSW, Pam Dixon, CNA, David Deming, Chaplain, and Ruth Cook, Volunteer. A funeral service will be held at 11 o’clock, Wednesday, February 25th, at Reformation Lutheran Church, 1118 Union Street, Columbia, with The Rev. Timothy Bupp and The Rev. Jim Nichols officiating. Interment will follow at Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall prior to the service, from 10 until 11 o’clock. Following interment family and friends are invited to a celebration of Velma’s life in the Fellowship Hall of Reformation Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made in Velma’s memory to the charity of one’s choice.

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Mrs. Velma Boulware Parsons Hair

January 22, 1921 - February 19, 2015