Jean Cutchins Parkhurst

Hilda “Jean” Cutchins Parkhurst, born on May 21, 1942, in Cairo, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 6, 2024, in Augusta, Georgia. Jean grew up as an only child and lost her father when she was just 8 years old. Her mother, Eileen, later married Greg Strang, after whom Jean's youngest son received his middle name. It was in Cairo where Jean met her first husband, the late Dr. Fred L. Cutchins. She was a majorette for the Cairo High School band where Fred was a leading musician. They became high school sweethearts, and after they were married, the couple moved to Atlanta, where Jean faithfully supported Fred in his pursuit of a Ph.D. and a career as an educator. After years in Atlanta, the couple relocated to Sumter, SC, in 1978. They were together for more than 40 years before Fred's passing.

Jean was widowed in December 1999 after caring for Fred during his illness. Soon after, she met and married Richard Parkhurst, who was retired from the Air Force and also widowed after caring for his first spouse. Together, they lived out their dreams of traveling the United States before Richard’s passing. After being widowed a second time, Jean made the prayerful decision to live with her youngest son, Stephen, his wife, Wendy, and their two daughters, Madi and Sarah. Between 2012 and 2024, she resided with Stephen in Hendersonville, NC, Austin, TX, and finally, the Augusta, GA area, making friends and memories in each place.

Jean loved music, dancing, and painting, and she also led a clown troupe that entertained children at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. She used her clowning ministry to encourage kids of all ages and point people toward the love of Jesus. In her 40s, Jean wrote an unpublished 254-page book that she kept under lock and key until her last days. Jean loved performing and was involved in the Sumter Little Theatre. She loved children and led the children's choirs at her church for years. She loved God, placed her faith in Christ at a young age, and was consistently involved with her church families everywhere she lived, most commonly seen singing in the choir. 

Those close to her described her as a passionate and emotionally intense person, and her love for her family and friends was never in doubt. Her family and friends always knew they were cherished by her, as she expressed it openly and abundantly. Jean always dreamed of visiting Niagara Falls but never had the opportunity to do so with either of her husbands. Later in life, her children fulfilled this wish by sending her to Niagara Falls as a bucket list item, allowing her to experience the beauty she had longed to see. 

Jean is survived by her loving children, Dr. Stephen Cutchins and his wife, Dr. Wendy Cutchins, Sharon Cutchins Bender and her husband, Harald Bender, and Jeff Cutchins. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Whitney Bender Chambers, Lars Bender, Dain Hicks, Madelyn Cutchins, Sarah Cutchins, Amy Cutchins, and Chris Cutchins, and her great-grandchildren: Logan Cutchins, Ty Bender, Axel Chambers, and Ava Jean Chambers.

Jean's life will be celebrated in a private service officiated by Pastor Chris Gulledge, a long-time family friend. In place of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Southern Evangelical Seminary (www.ses.edu) and First Baptist Simpsonville / Upstate Church (www.fbsimpsonville.org).