Rita Shannon

Rita Steeves Shannon of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on December 26, 2011, at the age of 71. She was born Rita Lynn Steeves to parents Hartley and Clare Steeves on August 4, 1940, in Jacksonville, Florida. Graduating from Terry Parker High School in 1958, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The University of Florida and her master’s degree in education from Incarnate Word University. She taught elementary school in Northeast ISD for 25 years before retiring to spend several years touring the country by RV with her beloved husband Claude. After miraculously surviving a major stroke in 2001, Rita was determined to regain her independence. She re-learned to talk and walk and trained herself to use her left hand to again enjoy drawing and painting portraits, animals, and landscapes.

Rita is survived by her husband of 30 years, Claude Lee Shannon; her son Christopher Lamb, wife Patti, and kids Jeffrey & Kaela; son Matthew Lamb, wife Elizabeth, and kids Shannon & Travis; stepson Lyman Shannon, wife Nancy, kids Brian & Rae Ann, and son-in-law Joshua; stepdaughter Lynda Shannon and husband James Vance; sister Neva Sessums, husband Terrell, kids Tom, Richard, Sandra, and their families; sister Karen Morin, her daughter Emily, son-in-law Mike, and their sons; and uncle Richard Steeves and his family. Rita will be remembered by many, many friends and family members, as well as fellow residents at Independence Hill and Franklin Park assisted living facilities, for her humor, love of travel, books, art, and kindness.

A viewing will be held at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Austin Hwy on Friday, December 30, 2011 from 6-8:00 pm. The funeral will be held at the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 10:00 am with burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7400 Louis Pasteur Dr., Ste 200, San Antonio, TX 78229 for Alzheimer’s research.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX.