Willis Funeral Home | Dalton, GA

Obituary For Dr. Donald Kenneth Pardlow

DR. DONALD KENNETH PARDLOW – Age 58, of Dalton, Georgia passed away Monday, April 29, 2019. He was born on February 27, 1961 in Dalton, Georgia to the late Willie and Roselle Banks Pardlow. He received a Bachelor’s of Arts and Masters of Arts in English from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a Doctorate of Philosophy in English: Rhetoric and Linguistics from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Pardlow.

He is survived by his wife, Mae Rosie Jackson Pardlow of Dalton, Georgia; daughters, Quinnaya (Tony) Anderson of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Quinntessa Wilson of Dalton; grandchildren, Obadiah Anderson, Nevaeh Anderson, and Folarin Wilson; brothers, William Pardlow and Dennis Pardlow; sister, Anna Blalock of Dalton; uncle, Marion Pardlow of Roseville, California; special friend, Ollie Oviedo of New Mexico; a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service will be held Monday, May 6, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. in the Chapel with Pastor Tony Anderson and other ministers officiating. His remains will lie in state at the funeral home on Sunday after 12:00 Noon and the family will receive friends one hour before the service. Interment, West Hill Cemetery. Please share your thoughts and memories of Dr. Donald Pardlow at www.willisfuneralhomedalton.com. Arrangements by Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia.

Guest Book

To the family and friends: please, accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. You can find comfort in the Bible account found at John 11; Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life". Please find more information about this beautiful promise at jw.org.

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To the Family: Very sorry for your loss. Remember, “God is our refuge and strength, A help that is readily found in times of distress.” Psalm 46:1 W.J., Petersburg, VA

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Pardlow family, continue to meditate on the many precious memories of Donald. May the God of all comfort strength you to meet each day ahead. My condolences to the family.

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Our hearts goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. New Hope Baptist Church Usher Board( Velina Weaver}

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Last week, Dr. Pardlow messaged me to give me advice on how to write my fictions books. He had always believed in me and my abilities, often offering the sweetest words of encouragement, believing in me before I even believed in myself. When he messaged last week, I told him "I see a book as this big project; it seems so impossible to do," to which he responded: "break it up into sections; just 2 pages and day and in a couple months, you'll be successful." In the face of what seems like insurmountable odds, the most difficult of paths, his advice still shines through--just break it up into small pieces. Take it slow. Be patient. As we mourn his death and are filled with overwhelming and all-encompassing sadness, I will take his final advice to help combat this sadness: Take it one day at a time. Even in the littlest of steps, Keep moving forward.

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PRAYING FOR THE FAMILY AT THIS SAD TIME. Pastor CHARLES Catching & Liberty Baptist church Family

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I’m saddened to learn about my longtime friend Donald Pardlow’s passing. We were both mentored by Ollie Oviedo. Don was a constant presence at Research Network Forum —a Discussion Leader, Work-in-Progress presenter, helped with setting up and breaking down the room, no job too heavy or too small for him to offer assistance, mentorship, and guidance always with a smile on his face. He was always a scholar and a gentleman. If you’ve attended an Research Network Forum in the past 15+ years, Don was there, often quietly in the background, doing what he could to make everyone’s experience a positive one. A few years ago, I spent an afternoon with Don at the Portland CCCC exploring the city after the exhibit hall closed. He shared his love of his Claftin University family, his wife, children, grandchildren, of books (we spent some time at Powell’s bookstore), an unsuccessful quest to try Voodoo Donuts (which sold out before we found it), and shared a long (healthier than donuts) lunch with one of his Claftin colleagues. A few years prior he brought me a signed copy of his book, _Notebook of a Gypsy Scholar_. He thanked me for all of the mentorship I provided him as he had workshopped the book at Research Network Forum. He was a kind of scholar who always remembered to thank everyone (even when I didn’t think it was necessary—he told me it was and that he was grateful for working with RNF and the scholars he met there). I can’t imagine Research Network Forum without him. I know I’m a better mentor/scholar/teacher through knowing Don. I am sure many of us are. Sending love to his family and friends. May our memories of Don be a blessing to all who loved him. Dr. Risa Gorelick, Co-Chair of Research Network Forum

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