North Carolina's first black state senator, Earline Parmon, died on Tuesday. She leaves behind a respected legacy.
Earline Parmon's passing came as an ill-timed shock when her death was announced amid North Carolina primary voting. Parmon, who served as state senator from 2013 to 2015, was known for her tenacity when it came to social justice and equality.
Patsy Keever, chairwoman of the North Carolina Democratic Party, served in the state legislature with Parmon. Keever says the loss is personal, and the world needs more people like her.
“When you have a person of Earline's character, that makes an impact in many small ways as well as large ways. And that type of person makes us all feel better, gives us hope. I think that's what she brought to us, was hope, love, understanding, commitment...we will sorely miss that.”
Parmon also served for a decade in the Statehouse. Before that she was on the Forsyth County Board of commissioners. She stepped down as a state senator last year to work for U.S. representative Alma Adams. Parmon was 72 years old
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