Rita Nell Parker

Rita Nell Drumm Parker. April 21, 1934 – April 18, 2023. 

Daughter of Vivian Agnew Drumm and Walter Frank Drumm, Rita Nell was born and raised in Garland, Texas. She graduated from Garland High School in 1951 and went on to work at Kraft Foods. In 1953, she met James Erwin Parker (Jim) of Frisco, Texas on a blind date and the two were married on January 9, 1954. They settled on 17 acres outside of Wylie, Texas where they built the house they would live in together for nearly 60 years.  In 1966, when their son, James Erwin Parker II (Jimmy) was born, Rita became a homemaker and the best mom to young Jim.  Always generous and kind, Rita loved to entertain Jimmy’s friends and no one ever left Rita’s house hungry. Her chocolate cake was the stuff of legends. Upon becoming a widow in 2017, Rita joined the household of her son and daughter-in-law in Highland Village, Texas. 

Rita was proceeded in death by her mother and father, her brother David Drumm, and her husband. She is survived by her son, James E. Parker II and daughter-in-law, Laura M. Weidel.