Rita Anne Buckingham

“My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:15-17

Rita Anne Buckingham, began life on this earth when she was born March 9, 1932 to Jacob and Cecelia Moomaw. The days God ordained for her came to an end on March 17, 2013. Her family wishes to celebrate her life and her testimony for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rita was born and grew up in Willard, Ohio with her three sisters, Rosemary Smith, Kathy(John) Schodorf and the late Jean Phillips. She met and married the love of her life, Clair Buckingham, and was his faithful wife for 61 years.

Together they raised four wonderful children, Cindy Bruner, Dick Buckingham, Joe Buckingham, and Dan Buckingham, who preceded her in death and joyfully welcomed her home this past Sunday. Rita loved her children's spouses and considered them as her own children, Fred Bruner, Gwen Buckingham, Patty Buckingham and Jeannie Buckingham.

She was blessed with ten grandchildren, Michelle Bosworth, Jennie (Brent) Smith, Russ Bruner, Rob (Taylor) Bruner, Jacob Buckingham, Joel (Sarah) Buckingham, Jeff (Anna) Buckingham, Justin Buckingham, Gracey Buckingham and Laura Buckingham. As well as seven great-grandchildren, Levi, Caleb and Andrew Smith, Bailey and Colten Bruner, and Lilly and Issac Buckingham. Truly some of her greatest joy was spending time with these young people.

Rita was a homemaker all her life. She also spent many hours in ministry to others. She assisted in the direction of the Saint Andrews Singers, a musical ministry for teens. She directed an elementary-age choral group, known as Lil' Singers for many years. Later, she would lead a ladies choral group (Joybelles) as they performed in nursing homes. Throughout the years she held discipleship studies for young women, led a Bible study for women in her mobile home park and most recently spent her time running the library at Faith Christian School.

She will always be remembered as a victorious prayer warrior. Her life and her ministry has touched many. Her testimony will forever be the power of prayer and the love of Jesus Christ for mankind.

Though we understand and firmly believe that her work on earth was complete and therefore she was called to go home with the Lord, Rita's love and prayer support, her unending work for Him, will be sorely missed by many who knew and loved her.

Services for Rita are as follows: Viewing 9:00 a.m. Service 10:00 a.m. at Christchurch (also home to Faith Christian School) 7464 E. Main Street in Mesa, Az 85207. Graveside services 11:30 a.m. at Mariposa Gardens, 6747 East Broadway Road Mesa, Arizona 85206 (480) 830-4422.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Faith Christian School, a ministry near and dear to Rita's heart. Donations may be sent to Faith Christian School, 7464 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85207

More words from her favorite Bible verse: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23,24