MURFREESBORO – Thelma Leonhirth Parker Sewell, 107, died Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at Guardian Care of Ahoskie.

She had been preceded in death by husbands, W. Gary Parker and John M. Sewell Sr.; parents, George August and Olivia Royall Leonhirth; and a brother, George S. Leonhirth.

A native of Sumter, South Carolina, she was born November 18, 1903 and was graduated from Rose Hill High School.  She attended Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina and Chowan College (as it was named then) in Murfreesboro. She worked as manager of the lunchroom at Murfreesboro High School for four years, was owner and operator of Parker Soda Shop for six years, and then was Dental Assistant to Dr. W. F. Britt for twenty three years.  A member of Murfreesboro Baptist Church since 1922, she had been active in the Roanoke-Chowan Hospital Auxiliary.

Survivors include one son, George W. Parker of Rochester, NY; one daughter, Rebecca P. Pearce Dickerson of Murfreesboro, NC; six grandchildren, Gary Pearce and wife, Gwyn, of Raleigh, NC, Kevin Pearce of Burlington, NC,  J. Fred Pearce and wife, Sandi, of Sugarloaf Shores, FL, Cricket Pearce of Raleigh, NC, Gary Parker and wife, Tina, of Rochester, NY, and Karen Rhoe and husband, John, of Williamsville, NY; six great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren, two step great-great grandchildren; one sister, Olivia Hodge of Pennsylvania; and a half brother, Karl Leonhirth of Sumter, South Carolina.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2011 in Murfreesboro Baptist Church with Dr. Lee Canipe presiding.  Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Murfreesboro.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to share a memorial gift, please do so to Murfreesboro Baptist Church or Chowan University.

Bridgers Funeral Home, Inc. in Conway is in charge of the arrangements.