ABOUT US

Hartwell Neil Riser, Jr., known as Neil Riser is a funeral home owner in Columbia, the seat of Caldwell Parish in northeastern Louisiana, who is also a Republican member of the Louisiana State Senate.

Riser was born to Hartwell Riser, Sr. (1934-1985), and the former Lillian Gore (born 1937), since Lillian R. Gentry of Monroe, the wife of Herschel Gentry, Jr. He graduated from Caldwell Parish High School in Columbia in 1980.[10] Columbia, located south of Monroe in northeastern Louisiana, was the home of Governor John McKeithen (1918-1999) and Secretary of State W. Fox McKeithen (1946-2005).

In 1984, Riser earned a bachelor of science degree in business management from the University of Louisiana at Monroe (then Northeast Louisiana University). He is president and owner of Riser Funeral Homes in Caldwell and La Salle parishes. The Riser family has operated the funeral home since 1934. He also serves as a board member of Caldwell Bank and Trust in Columbia. He is a past president of Pelican State Life Insurance Company. He was previously in the timber business, having worked in logging at the age of fourteen.

Vicki Riser has been with Riser Funeral Home since June 1, 2009. She became a member of the Riser family when she married Neil on April 12, 1986. They have two daughters: Emilie Marie Riser Moseley and Allison Leigh Riser. Vicki graduated from Northeast Louisiana University, now ULM, in 1984 with a B.S. degree in Education. She was a math and science teacher for 20 years before deciding to join the family business as manager.

Jerry has been affliated with Riser Funeral Homes since May of 1975. He is a graduate of Caldwell Parish High School, class of 1975, where he was an honor student, and voted student of the year. Jerry was also presented The Patriotism Award by the Scottish Rites and Free Masonry that same year. His formal funeral education was obtained at the Commonwealth College of Sciences in Houston, Texas. There he served his class as secretary and graduated with honors in 1977. He is a member of the National Mortician's Fraternity Pi Sigma Etta. Jerry was voted Louisiana Volunteer of the Year in 1999 for his volunteer services to the Columbia area. Jerry and his wife, Brenda have two children,son:Jonathan and wife, Kelly,and their three children: Eli, Tyler, and Karlee; and daughter, Christa Anne Womeldurf and her husband, Steven Womeldurf.

Charles Clack attended Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 1992 and a member of the National Mortician's Fraternity Pi Sigma Etta. Charles is married to Kathy Feltenberger and has two sons, Tommy and Josh Clack. Charles has been with Riser Funeral Home since 2008 and is the former Coroner for Caldwell Parish.

Douglas M. "Buzzy" May

1942 - 2009

*Married to Glenda Puckett May

*Children:

Kelley J. May

Kim May Bryant

*Grandchildren: Mackenzie Wise

Jordan Wise

Hunter Wise

*1960 Graduate of Grayson High School

1966 Graduate of Commanwealth College in Houston, TX

*Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer with Riser Funeral Home in Columbia for 45 years and manager since 1986.

*Caldwell Parish Coroner from 1986 - 2009

*Owned and operated The Flower and Gift Shoppe for 30 years

*Attended Grace Baptist Church in Grayson, LA