Tony Vaughn Parker

Services for Tony Vaughn Parker, 77, were held Monday at Memorial Funeral Home with burial at Wheeler Cemetery.

Mr. Parker died Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at North Mississippi Medical Center surrounded by his family. He was born Feb. 26, 1946, in Alcorn County to the late Elmer P. and Nadine Lamberth Parker. He was a lifelong member of Kossuth Methodist Church, serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees and Sunday School superintendent. A 1964 graduate of Kossuth High School, he then attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College and later Mississippi State University, with a Bachelor in Ag. He went on to receive his Master's Degree and Ph.D. in Education Administration from Mississippi State University. He began his teaching career at Ramer High School and then Biggersville High until being elected superintendent of the Alcorn School District in 1976, staying until he retired in 1992. After retirement, he moved to become superintendent of the Marlette, Mich., Community Schools and stayed there 16 years before moving back to his family farm in 2008. He enjoyed hunting, farming, spending time with his grandchildren and his best buds/pets: Max, Bear and Gizmo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his maternal grandparents, Clarence and Grace Lamberth; and his paternal grandparents, Wash C. and Retha Gray Parker.

Survivors are his wife of 57 years, Sandra Essary Parker; his daughters, Suzanne Parker Suggs (Stacy), Candy Parker Fleming (Jim) and Ashley Jo Heintzelman (Brandon); his grandchildren, John Parker Suggs, Tyler Suggs, Abby Suggs, Harrison Fleming, Brooks Fleming, Georgia Fleming; Kellen Heintzelman, Sydney Heintzelman, Greyson Heintzelman; a brother, Gregg Parker (Brenda), and his son, Andy Parker (Saadia), his son, Rhys Parker; a sister, Anthia Jo Follin-King (Charles), her son, Chuck Follin (Suzanne), and their daughters, Kelsie Follin (Ronnie Walker), Ryleigh Austin (Aaron), her children, Annie and Owen; an uncle, Leroy Miller; a nephew, Terrell Rowland (Margie); and a host of other family and friends.

Pallbearers are Stacy Suggs, Jim Fleming, Harrison Fleming, Brooks Fleming, Brandon Heintzelman, Kellen Heintzelman, Chuck Follin and Andy Parker.

Honorary pallbearers include Charles King, Jimmy Jones, Bert Mills, Gerald Austin, Nathan Lindsey, Rick Quinn, John Parker Suggs, Johnny Potts, Tyler Suggs and Adrian Essary.

The Rev. Mark Nails and the Rev. Randy Marchant officiated the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kossuth Methodist Church, c/o Charles King, 109 CR 533, Corinth, MS 38834.

Online guestbook: memorialcorinth.com