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Rita Renfro Obituary
Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 6, 2004, in St. Columcille Catholic Church, Sullivan with Father John Sohm as celebrant. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 Thursday evening in the St. Columcille Catholic Church Parish Hall, Sullivan with a Vigil Prayer Service at 5 P.M. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home and Hilligoss-Shrader Funeral Home are assisting the family. Interment will be in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lovington Community Ambulance or to the St. Columcille Catholic Church.
Rita was born on December 13, 1941, in Lovington, the youngest child of Roy Joseph and Mary Elizabeth "Mae" (Griffin) Smith. She and John A. Renfro, were married on August 29, 1964, in Hillsboro. She first worked at U.S.I. in Tuscola then for the Dahm Drug Store in Lovington until her son was born. She then babysat in her home for many children who loved her very much. When her brother Jerry passed away Rita and John purchased the East End Tavern, which they continue to operate as Jerry's East End. They also own many rental houses in Lovington. In 2001 Rita and John purchased the Wood Shed Restaurant, which they completely remodeled named the new business The Lunch Box that continues to be an asset to the Lovington Community. Rita was very helpful to the community having been involved in the Park Recreation Board and the Lovington Area Development Committee, that helped establish the Lovington Doctor's office. She adopted many of the residents of the Lovington nursing home, making sure they were remembered during the holidays and on their birthdays. She was involved from the beginning of the Sparrows Unlimited, which provides clothing and toys for needy children and baskets for the elderly. She collected the donations for the benefit auction and then bought all of the toys and presents for the children every year. She did so much for people behind the spotlight, just because she wanted to make everyday better for those around her. She was the most unselfish person you could have ever met always putting her family first.
Her legacy will live on with her devoted husband John of almost 40 years, who loved and continues to love her very much, her loving children- Annette Wood and her husband Doug of Sullivan, Marsha Renfro of Lovington, and her son John Renfro and his wife Desire'e of Lovington. She was the proudest of her grandchildren who all would have moved in with her if they could have, Dustin Dixon, Blake Garmon, Ralph Gieger, Tyler Dixon, Alex Wood, Garett May and Samuel Renfro. Her grand-dogs- Brutus, Socks and Lacy.
She was greeted in Heaven by her parents, sisters- Dorothy "Dot" Feller, infant sister Phyllis Smith, brothers- Donald "Bud" Smith, Harold "Tub" Smith and Gerald "Jerry" Smith, and her dog Bear.
She made everyone feel so special and always made time to talk if you needed an ear. She took care of her family and was truly loved by many others as a Mom. She will live forever in the hearts of her family who will keep her close and her memory will continue to flourish. We will never be the same. Our new guardian angel will always be at our side.
Obituary written by family members
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Memories and Condolences
for Rita Renfro
Jackie Bradley
March 5, 2004
What a great woman so many lost. Rita was a very inspiring woman in my life. I enjoyed my time working for her at the LunchBox. What a boss. Once when I was late for work for an opening shift, she covered for me and said she had given me permission to come in late. I don't know that I have ever met an employer that loved her employees the way she did. I am very sorry for everyones loss. I hope that we have the chance to meet again someday.
Traci Hauersperger
February 9, 2004
Rita was a wonderful person who always treated people with respect and fairness. I'm aware of several people whos lives she had a great impact on. Lovington will miss her always. The family is in my thoughts and prayers.
TERRI FAYE SEBRIGHT
February 7, 2004
RITA,I MESS YOU, I KNOW YOU WILL TALK TO ME JUST LIKE MY DAD DOES. You be good & talk to my Dad to. BIG JERRY ,there to . TELL HIM HI. JOHN, MARSHA ,ANNETTE ,BIG JOHN call me 521-1459 ok . DOUG you mind ANNETTE. I LOVE YOU ALL. RITA I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH. TERRI FAYE call me
Marian J Bryant
February 7, 2004
"Heaven's Graduation Day"
"RITA KAY RENFROW"
Today was Rita's graduation Day into Heaven. Greeted by Special
Angel's & Smiles & lots of hugs.
Rita we will miss you very much,
my friend. Special things you did for us each & every one. All your
loved you shared & all things given without a word of praise, nor did you ask for any, You always gave from the heart, loved your family ,friends & all those little
children you took under your wing to give them love,some didn't have. you made so many happy in this old world of ours. But you Graduated into Heaven, greeted by loved ones, Special angel's there. God held on to you tight, you departed this world of pain & suffering, All of that's gone for you on this day.
We all have to have our Graduation Day , We never know what's beyond the sunset when our day is done, I hope we will all be ready for our big day. Blessing & love to all your family & friends. Praying for all of you. your friend's Donald & Marian Bryant. Hawesville, Kentucky.
MELVIN (MEL) LEWIS
February 6, 2004
I meant RITA AT her & JOHNS EAST END. MARSHA was so good to me as a patron , PLUS when I lost my WIFE ,who showed up but RITA & JOHN. Wonderful People , THEN I CAN THANK THE EAST END,, I MEANT IRMA & TERRI FAYE THERE. IT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITH OUT HER. HAPPY TO BE A SMALL PART OF KNOWING ALL OF YOUR FAMILY .. BOTH THE RESTRAUNT & BAR , have been a real pleasure to IRM & I & TERRI FAYE,~ GOD BE WITH YOU ~~ALL~~ MEL,IRMA & TERRI FAYE
IRMA SEBRIGHT LEWIS
February 6, 2004
~~RITA~~ just one in a million~ She treated MY TERRIFAYE as if she was one of her own ,AS she had giving birth to her ,, TERRI ADORED RITA,, & ALWAYS THOUGHT SHE NEEDED PINK (ANYTHING ). SHE was my very best FRIEND. THE MOST CAREING PERSON I"VE EVER KNOWN, THANK YOU GEORGIA ,, THAT WAS SWEET.I know she will be our angle doing as much up there as she did here for all of us. WHEN I SEE A REDBIRD ,I:LL KNOW IT"S HER .. TO A VERY LOVING FAMILY OF RITA"S,THANKS FOR SHARING HER WITH TERRI & I.(IRMA) PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU .GOD LOVES YOU,ALL
Libby Duncan
February 6, 2004
I am very sorry for your loss. I remember her always coming into the bank with a smile on her face, she was such a nice lady. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
kenny pryor
February 6, 2004
John and family, I am so sorry that words can not express what I would like to say. I pray the Lord almighty be with you and strengthen you in the days ahead.
Kenny
sondra &kent hoffman
February 5, 2004
we are thinking of all of you at this difficult time. remember all the good times and keep them in your heart forever. our prayers are with you
Chrissie Hackert
February 5, 2004
To all the Family, God bless you in your time of pain and always remember what a blessing you recieved through Rita in your lives. What a blessing and friend she was to us all. With much sympathy. Chrissie
Georgia Hammer
February 5, 2004
I KNOW THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME BUT I AM A FRIEND OF IRMA SEBRIGHT-LEWIS AND SHE HAS TOLD ME WHAT A SWEET AND CAREING PERSON THAT RITA WAS AND HAD BEEN KEEPING ME INFORMED ON HOW SHE WAS DOING JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I AM THINKING OF YOU IN THIS TIME OF SORROW AND PRAYEING FOR YOU GOD KEEP YOU ALL SAFE AND IN HIS ARMS
Leslie Young
February 5, 2004
I'm so sorry to hear about your wife, mother and grandmother. She was a nice person. My prayers are with you and your family at this time
Dale & Sharon Jones
February 4, 2004
Love & Prayers to the Family, always a Lady, she will be missed by all.
Sylvia and Jack Dougherty
February 4, 2004
We wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to all the family of Mrs. Renfro. We knew her as a first class lady. She will be remembered by all as wonderful mother,wife and good citizen. We know she is in Heaven with all who loved in the past. May she rest in peace.
Gregg, Nora and Ashley Hall
February 4, 2004
Rita always made us feel welcome and would bring a smile to all of our faces. Dustin, Tyler, and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May the comfort of our heavenly Father be with you during this difficult time.
Love Uncle Gregg, Aunt Nora,
and Ashley
Joy Day Myers
February 4, 2004
Rita was one of my first babysitters and I can remember many memories from those days, especially getting to have gum from the gumball machine. Then again, in high school, I spent several Friday nights after basketball games where she was such a gracious host to so many of us. John, I am so sorry for your loss and I want you to know that I am thinking of you and keeping your whole family in my prayers. Love, Joy
Bob and Adiline Young
February 4, 2004
To the Family: I am so sorry and extend my heart felt sympathy to you all. I have lots of good memories of you all. Again I am so sorry. Bob
Loretta Spears (Cook)
February 4, 2004
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you(John),your children and their families. Anyone that knew Rita admired her friendly nature and her caring ways. She will be greatly missed by all of us!
Joy (Gale) Bennett
February 4, 2004
She was a special one of a kind lady & will never be forgotten. May God bless your family.
Sara Gale
February 4, 2004
Schoolmates, mothers, grandmothers,
Rita, we shared all these times.
That awful thing "Cancer" brought us together again for too short a time. It was a precious time for me to be able to be with you and your family. Now I know you are one of God's angels and you will be waiting for all of us on the glorious day when we join you.
Love you!
Jim McLaughlin
February 4, 2004
"Her children rise up & call her blessed." My prayers are with you now & in the days to come.
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