Rita Ann Stephens

Rita Ann Stephens, our little four-eleven and three quarters Dr. Pepper queen, and a size 4 shoe wearing cutie pie, joined her loving Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 17, 2018.

Rita was born on December 30, 1946 in West Plains, Missouri to Elbert and Vanna Iretta Young. On June 15, 1964, she married her high school sweetheart, Richard Stephens. Together for 54 years, they lovingly raised three boys: Tom, Scott, and Matthew. Rita’s spirit is carried on in her husband, three sons, 10 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.  As a life-time resident of West Plains, Rita worked at the West Plains Shoe Factory, Ozark Medical Center as a switchboard operator, and as the owner of Suds N in West Plains for a time.  She enjoyed reading, crocheting, playing piano, going for drives, listening to oldies with her husband, and spending time with her family. Rita was a member of Junction Hill Pentecostal Church in West Plains for over 50 years.

Rita is survived by her husband, Richard; three sons, Tom, of West Plains, Scott, of West Plains, and Matthew, of Springfield, Missouri; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Linda Ross, of Kansas City, MO, Carolyn Rumple, of Peace Valley, and several nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Eddie Ray Young and her grandparents.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 21, 2018, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, with her sons presiding. Rita will be laid to rest in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.