A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 NW Expressway St. Oklahoma City, OK, 73162.
Rita was born in Creston, IA and moved to Davenport, IA while in her late teens. Rita and her husband, Richard P. Edwards moved to Sarasota, FL, in 1991 and to Oklahoma in 2011. She was employed as an office manager for Mass Mutual Life Ins. Co. in Davenport for 18 years. After she moved to Sarasota, Rita was employed as a church secretary at Central Church of Christ, Sarasota FL, where she and her husband served the church in many other capacities including teaching and leadership roles.
Because Rita’s early years had been scarred by abuse and addiction, she had a heart for others who were on the journey to healing. She felt God has prepared a ministry for her out of her pain and suffering, so she facilitated and participated in support groups to encourage others in their journey to healing. Rita and her husband, Richard, led a small group in their church for 18 years. They also spent a season traveling in their RV to different churches to serve the Lord.
In Oklahoma they had been members of The Springs Church and after The Crossings Church.
Richard predeceased his wife of 32 years in 2017 after a long illness. Rita was also predeceased by her sister, Deloris Bates, brothers, Bill and Rick Fry of Iowa, stepson, Richard Edwards Jr., and great grandson, Nova. She is survived by her daughter Michele Donner Ramsey, her stepchildren, Ted Edwards, Michael Edwards, Brad Edwards, Mona Ferrell, eleven grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.
If you wish to make donations in her memory, they may be made to the American Cancer Society, the National Sexual Violence Resources Center, or to the American Foundation for Suicide Awareness.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 NW Expressway St. Oklahoma City, OK, 73162.
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