Rita Jo Duff

She was born in Camden, Arkansas, on August 20, 1931, to Jeff and Bernice Tibbits. After her mother was killed in a car accident, Rita Jo, who was only two at the time of the tragedy, was raised by Ned and Ethyl Cheever. She met Leon Duff in the seventh grade, and they dated throughout their time at Little Rock Senior High School. Rita and Leon were married on July 20, 1951, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and had 65 amazing, love-filled years together. When her sons entered high school, she began a career in the field of education, working as an administrative assistant first at Pasadena ISD and, later, at Klein ISD.

Rita Jo was a longtime member of The Woodlands Christian Church and, she and Leon were instrumental in helping the church grow in its early days. She loved to travel and enjoyed some great trips around the world. Her hobbies included square dancing, playing bridge with her friends, and shopping, especially for shoes.

She loved her family deeply, and they were always first and foremost in her mind. Her three grandchildren were very special to her, and she attended as many ball games and dance recitals as she could. She also loved her great grandchildren, but dementia made it difficult for her to show them just how much she cared.

Rita Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Jeff and Bernice Tibbits, and Ned and Ethyl Cheever; and half-brother, Jeff Tibbits Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Leon Duff; brother, Ned Cheever; sons, Jimmy (Teresa) and Randy (Linda); grandchildren, Autumn (Tad) Roberts, Amanda (Mark) Oerther, and James Duff; and great-grandchildren, Tye Roberts, Beaux Roberts, and Max Oerther.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to LaDawn Barrett for providing care over the last two years.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family starting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands, Texas 77384. The funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions in Rita’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation (www.alzfdn.org); the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org); and/or The Woodlands Christian Church (www.twcc.org), 1202 N. Millbend Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380.