Published: July 6, 2021


Rita Anne Zimmerman Parker of Pulaski passed away July 5th, 2021, at Southern Tennessee Regional Pulaski. She was born on October 28, 1951 in Winchester, Tn and was 69 years old.

Rita was raised on a dairy farm where she showed cows as a young girl. She was a graduate of Franklin County High School where in her senior year she was voted Miss FCHS. She played in the band and was a drum majorette. Upon graduation from high school she attended and graduated from Martin Methodist College where she was also elected as Miss Martin College during her freshman year. She had an early love for music and learned to play the piano and organ at an early age. She was an organist at First United Methodist Church of Winchester and also at St. Andrews United Methodist Church for over 40 years. Rita enjoyed playing the organ for weddings, funerals, and several years at the Giles County fair. She worked as secretary to the Administrator at Giles County Hospital and as an agent for Shelter Insurance until her health forced her to retire. Rita fought a valiant struggle with MS for over 34 years.

Visitation will be held on Thursday July 8th from 11:00am until 1:00pm in the chapel of Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory with the funeral service following at 1:00pm with Brandon Bass officiating.

Burial will follow in the Maplewood Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Backpack program at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 831 Mills St. Pulaski, TN 38478

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Martha Moore Zimmerman, sister-in-law, Pat Zimmerman, and nephews, Tyler and Dean Zimmerman.

She is survived by her;

Husband, Allen Parker of Pulaski

Daughter, Alana (Randy) Scruggs of Columbia

Daughter, Alicia (Michael Farnam) Parker of Mt. Juliet

Grandchildren, Parker Scruggs, John Carter Scruggs, and Buchanan Farnam

Brothers, Eddie (Carolyn Garner) Zimmerman of Winchester

                Bobby (Debbie) Zimmerman of Winchester

                Bill (Sherry) Zimmerman of Gaffney, SC

Lifelong family friends, Bill and Judy Mayfield.

Several nieces and nephews also survive

Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements for Rita Anne Zimmerman Parker.