Graveside services for Valda Rushing Parker, age 83, of Grayson, LA, will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Welcome Home Cemetery in Grayson with Dr. Alan Miller officiating. Kim Broussard will deliver a message through song. Services are under the care of Riser and Son Funeral Home of Columbia. The Parker Family will receive guests on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM at the funeral home.

Valda Rushing Parker was born on February 25, 1942, at Columbia to the union of her parents, Herbert Rushing and Doy Black Rushing. She passed from this life at her residence in Grayson on Saturday, February 14, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents.

To know Valda was to love and respect her. She worked in education in the Caldwell Parish School System for more than forty years. She started in the classroom and excelled in the guidance and leadership of her students. She demanded the best from her students, and they all became better people due to the interest she showed in them. She held numerous positions throughout her time in the school system serving as a supervisor and eventually a Principal at Union Central Elementary School. She became a mentor to her many students and their respect for her and what she gave to them was immeasurable. She was loved by all who knew her and will never be forgotten.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband of sixty-two years, Thomas A. "Tommy" Parker; her son, Matt Parker and significant other, Bryon Taylor; her brother, Eugene Rushing (Cindy); a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and step nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Josh Rushing, Robert Riddle, Gil Broussard, Kyle Broussard, Scooter LaBorde and Lynn Meredith. Honorary pallbearer will be Jim Turner.