Reverend Parham received his elementary and secondary education in the Public School System of Petersburg, Virginia. He is a 1970 graduate of the historic Peabody School, Petersburg Virginia. He received his B.A. Degree in Political Science in 1975, from Virginia State College, (now University), Petersburg. In 1978, Parham received his Master of Divinity Degree, from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.

He preached his initial sermon on May 26, 1974, at the historic Gillfield Baptist Church, Petersburg, Virginia, and was licensed by the Reverend Dr. Grady W. Powell, Sr., Gillfield Baptist Church on June 12, 1974. He was ordained by Gillfield Baptist Church on November 16, 1975.

Rev. Parham pastored Springfield Baptist Church, Church Road, Virginia for three years, as well as First Baptist Church, Loretto, Virginia for six years. On December 3, 2023, be resigned as Senior Minister after 41 years at the First Baptist Church of Hockley, Virginia,
Rev. Parham is a preacher, teacher, lecturer, social activist, environmentalist, artist, and he is a board-certified Clinical Chaplain. In 1979, he illustrated the book, ILLUMINATIONS, written by Ruth E. Edwards. Reverend Parham published several poems and in December of 1997, he published his first book, CONCLAVE WITH THE MIND. He completed his second book on Church Leadership and his third book, a Minister’s Manual. He hopes they will be published soon.

Rev. Parham has been married to the former Miss Annette Maria Relaford of Petersburg, Virginia for 49 years. They have two grown daughters, a son-in-law, five grandchildren and three great grandsons.