Rita R. Southerland, 92, Marion, went to be with the Lord at 9:55 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at Colonial Oaks Health Care Center in Marion. She was born in Senecaville, Ohio, to the late Ray and Una Grace (Mallett) Enochs. On February 11, 1950, she married her loving husband, James D. Southerland, and they shared 60 years together before he preceded her in death on July 3, 2010.
Rita graduated from Senecaville High School and was a hard worker throughout her life. She retired from Essex after more than 30 years of service. She was a member of New Life Community Church, where she faithfully served teaching children and attending Sunday School. She loved to read her Bible, her devotional, and she especially loved people and spending time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her sons, James (Patricia) Southerland, Jr., Humble, Texas and Timothy D. (Billie) Southerland, Marion; daughters, Mary (Phil) Prows, Marion and Janet (Gary) McIntyre, Lizton; brother, Stanley (Cecile) Enochs, Marion; 12 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Annalee Reynolds, Carrollton, Georgia.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by siblings, Lorna Briles, Arline Ring, Thelma Southerland, Mary Church, Melba Johnson, Howard Enochs, and her infant brother.
The family will receive visitors from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN.
Immediately following the time of visitation, services to celebrate Rita’s life will begin at 11 a.m. with burial following at Riverside Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.