Tessie Lorene Parker, age 90, of Rolla, was born March 1, 1932, in Maries County near Meta, a daughter of Johnie Jesse and Mary Catherine (Mertell) Vaughan, and passed from this life Thursday, July 21, 2022, in Phelps Health, Rolla.

Mrs. Parker was united in marriage August 28, 1949, at Iberia, to Ralph Stanley Parker, and to this union, two children were born.

In 1949, she graduated from Vienna High School and then attended Southwest Missouri State University, now known as Missouri State University, Springfield, graduating with her teacher's degree. Mrs. Parker started her teaching career at Wheeler school, which was a one room schoolhouse at the time. She also taught in several other local schools throughout her career, retiring from St. James School in 1980, after 31 years of teaching.

She was a member of  Ridgeview Christian Church, Rolla.

Those left to the mourn the passing of Mrs. Tessie Parker include:  her son, Bryan Parker and wife, Cindy, and her daughter, Kaye Faulkner and husband, Steven, all of Jerome; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Mandy and Matt Brookshire, and their children, Bailey, Trenton and Keegan; Garrett Parker; Rick Faulkner, and son, Hayden; Callie Battles, and son, Benjamin; and serval other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, on January 17, 2012; her father, Johnie, on July 2, 1989; her mother, Mary, on June 17, 1990; one sister and two brother, Irene Parker, Victor Vaughan, and Harold Vaughan.

A family graveside service for Mrs. Tessie L. Parker will be held Monday, August 1, 2022, at Stokes Cemetery, near Meta, with Bro. Shelby Barnhart officiating, under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Parker are suggested by her family to Stokes Cemetery with envelopes available at the cemetery or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65582.

Online condolences may be shared with the family of  Mrs. Tessie L. Parker at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com