Dec. 30, 1930 – May 3, 2018

NATCHEZ — Memorial services for Richard Sessions Parker Sr., 87, of Natchez, who died Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Merit Health Natchez, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Ken Ritter officiating.     

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery with full military honors to be rendered under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

A celebration of life will follow the burial at his home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Parker was born Dec. 30, 1930, in Natchez, the son of Robert Hicks Parker and Edna Elizabeth Blewitt Parker of Natchez.

He was a lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

Mr. Parker lived an incredible diversified life from a young age until his death. As a young man, he served in the U.S. Navy for eight years — traveling the world on a heavy cruiser, the USS Macon during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he farmed and ran cattle in Claiborne County. In 1967, he and his family moved to Australia where he continued to farm and run cattle until his retirement in 1979. An avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and fish. Throughout his life, he made many friends where ever he went and participated in a number of adventures. He was also an avid tennis player, skeet shooter and even up to his early 80s, participated in riding horses into the mountains in Arkansas, well past when most give up the saddle. He was always contemplating what the next project was going to be — from planting his winter mustard patch, wildlife food plots or working the roads on his property. Along his journeys, his kind heart and helping hand was touched by many. He will be sorely missed by the many people who loved him.  He loved his church, serving on the church Vestry and singing in the choir as a child and adult.

Mr. Parker was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nellie Calista Stampley Parker; his parents; two sisters, Edna Parker Bailey and Carolyn Parker Winters; four brothers, R. Hicks Parker Jr., Eugene T. Parker, Jack B. Parker and his twin, Rufus Parker.

Survivors include two daughters, Charlotte Parker Chauvin and husband, David, of Abita Springs, La., and Cynthia Parker McCormick and husband, Dan, of Natchez; one son, Richard S. Parker Jr., and wife, Barbara, of Gallman; five grandchildren, Matthew Lance Roberts, Landon Richard George Roberts and wife, Katie, Kasey Lynn Parker Ott and husband, Daniel, Bruce Parker Brumfield and wife, Haley, and Jessica Elizabeth Turner Bordelon and husband, Josh; three great-grandchildren, Anne Sellers Brumfield, Annabelle Grace Roberts and Noah Bordelon; one sister, Barbara Nell Parker Stewart; one sister-in-law, Loretta Stampley Graning of Ridgeland; and a number nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

With gratitude, the family wishes to thank Dr. Edward Daly and Judy Bartley for years of loving care, Dr. LaMay, Dr. Rick Ricalde and Rehab therapists, Deaconess Home Health and hospice caregivers.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Bruce Khuenle, George Dickins, Vincent Bache, Gerry Winters, John H. Parker, Richard Crook, Robert Crook, Wayne Richardson, Eugene Deschamps, Archie Willett, Barbara Rodriquez, Max Tullos, Ken Allen, John and Sharon Goodrich and Chris Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 305 S. Commerce St., Natchez, MS 39120.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.