Who We Are

Riser Funeral Homes began in 1934 when Monor Riser and his wife, Ruby (Upshaw) Riser moved from the Ruston Area here to Columbia.

Mr. Riser was a school teacher in Lincoln Parish at the time. Supposedly a route agent came through Ruston and made Mr. Riser aware that Columbia and Caldwell Parish needed a funeral facility for its residents. Along with Mr. Riser, Mrs. Ruby Riser opened the Riser Flower shop in conjunction with the funeral home.

Since 1934 Riser Funeral Homes have occupied several locations, but in 1974 H. Neil Riser, Sr. and wife, Lillian Gore Riser saw their dream come to fruition when they built the six thousand square foot facility that is used today. In 1985 after the sudden and tragic death of Neil Riser, Sr., Neil Riser, Jr. joined the remaining staff and has continued to present-day under the management of Douglas M. “Buzzy" May until his death in 2009.

Vicki Smith Riser, wife of Neil Riser, Jr. has since joined the staff as a funeral director and office manager. As we approach our 84th year of service to the community, we do so knowing that our families are truly what has allowed us to endure through the years.