Rita was born on June 6, 1931, in Russellville, Missouri, the daughter of Walter Ewing Lane and Dorothy Jean (Edwards) Lane. On December 21, 1947, in Guthrie, Missouri, she married Paul Gene Renoe, who preceded her in death on March 16, 2017.
“Grandma Renoe” was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church where she taught children’s Sunday School for more than 50 years, gathering the children every week around her piano for a round of music. She worked at the University of Missouri, the State of Missouri Driver’s License Office, and the Brown Shoe factory before settling in as a care provider for dozens of neighborhood children. She loved having guests on the family farm where she was quick to offer a great meal and a warm smile. She loved her family and cherished every moment she was able to spend with them. She was a talented musician and was part of the Lane Sisters singing group that traveled the state.
She will be sadly missed and forever remembered by her children, Paula (Jerry) Allen of New Bloomfield, Jana (Jim) Keathley of Marquand, Missouri; Greg (Susan) Renoe of Columbia and Lorna (Shawn) Cockrum of New Bloomfield; grandchildren Keith Paul (Mandy) Farris, Philip (Stacy) Allen, Clay Farris, Timothy (Robyn) Allen, Megan (Josh) Leibrandt, Cameron Cockrum, Ryan Renoe, Alexandra Renoe, Evan Renoe, and step-grandchildren Lonnie (Jody) Keathley and Jeremy Keathley. She was blessed with eight great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild: two sisters, Twyla Nistendirk, and Terry Cremer.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; husband Paul Gene; one son, Jimmy Lane; sisters, JoAnn Cain and Sonja Phillips; and brothers-in-law Bo Cain, Jim Phillips and Bill Cremer.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Union Hill Baptist Church, Holts Summit, MO. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 pm at the church with Pastor L.P. Cook officiating. Rita will be laid to rest in Hopewell Cemetery near New Bloomfield, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hopewell Cemetery, c/o Debo Funeral Home 833, Court Street, Fulton, Mo 65251.
