Willie Earl Paramore

Willie Earl "W. E." Paramore, 98 years old, passed away to the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Marianna, Florida, on June 12, 2025, after a short illness and a long, rich, and full life. To say he was legendary is to minimize his impact while walking the Earth.

Willie Earl Paramore was born on September 22, 1926, the 9th of 13 children, to John and Hattie Dasinger Paramore, in Midland City Alabama.

Earl was wise, intelligent, witty, adventurous, and devoted to his family. There was never a question about where you stood with him, though you never knew about those stories he told!

Earl first became a leader in high school, being elected as student government president of the Midland City High School. He was invited by Uncle Sam to join the US Army in 1945 before he graduated high school and served in Europe during World War II. When returning home, his transport plane’s wheels failed, and the plane belly landed in Atlanta. When told a new plane would take him to Napier field in Dothan, he said he would take the bus. The Lord always provided for Willie Earl.

Earl graduated from Midland High School in 1947 in the same class as Corrie who was 5 years his junior. Willie Earl shared 68 years of his life with Corrie, whom he married June 10, 1949, in Donalsonville, Georgia. They loved one another deeply and encouraged each other along the way through life. Together they navigated his college days with a newborn son, Earl Scott, born March 8, 1950, while Earl was obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Auburn University.

Over the 49 years of his pharmacy career, through knowledge, skill and commitment, he provided medications and advice to the citizens of Jackson County. He first served the public as a pharmacist in Meridian, Mississippi and was then employed at Hightower’s Drug in Marianna, Florida in 1953. They welcomed another son, John Arthur, on November 3, 1957. After a few years, in 1958, he bought Davis Drugs and turned it into Paramore’s Pharmacy. Their immediate family was completed when his daughter Leigh Ann was born August 2, 1964.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. He showed us the importance of enjoying every moment and the value to maintaining a sense of humor even in difficult situations. He was truly a blessed man.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Corrie; brothers and sisters, Mittie Lee Paramore Tice, Summers Mitchell Paramore, Robert Austen Paramore, Johnnie May Paramore, Cecil Jesse Paramore, Roy David Paramore, Levy Ray Paramore, Annie Vivian Paramore Glover, Edward Eugene Paramore, Randall Paramore, and Billy Jerrell.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Donna Paramore, his son and daughter-in-law, John and Jolene Paramore, daughter, Leigh Ann Paramore; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Diahann) Paramore, Susan (Jay) Paramore Compton, Jordanne (Thomas) Love, and Jarrod McFrederick; great-grandchildren, Stephanie and Isabella Paramore and Sam Compton; sisters-in-law, Martha Woodham and Sharon Woodham Snowden; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and more friends than can be counted.

The family is thankful for the love and support given to Earl by family, friends, his medical professionals, the wonderful staff and members of the First United Methodist Church of Marianna, and Dean Skaggs Sunday School class, whom he ate lunch with every Sunday after church. He appreciated the kindness and compassion of all who loved him throughout his blessed life.

Earl would love to have his family and friends gather to comfort each other though true stories of his amazing life and conversation. A visitation will be held Saturday, June 14, 2:30 PM CST, in the First United Methodist Church Wesley Center.

The funeral service will be held at 4:00 PM CST, in the Sanctuary, with burial to follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens on Caverns Road.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the First United Methodist Church, Marianna, FL.