Rita Walker, born January 8, 1937, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025. Known for her warm, giving spirit, quick wit, stubborn streak, and fierce independence, Rita left an indelible mark on the lives of all who knew her.

She is survived by her loving family: daughter Devyn Tillman; son Kevin Walker; daughter-in-law Melissa Walker; grandchildren Faith Grant, Sarah Tillman, Clinton Walker, John Walker, and Meredith Wolfe; and great-grandchildren Archer Grant, Liam Tillman, Kingston Tillman, Georgia Wolfe, and James Wolfe. She was preceded in death by her father Charles Robert Smith; mother Georgia Icle Smith nee Mathis; and brothers Duane, Ronnie, and Michael (Mike) Smith.

Rita began her career in 1955 as a telephone operator at Southwestern Bell in Hobart, OK. She remained with the company for over 40 years, retiring from Southwestern Bell/AT&T in 1997. Her career path and life journey took her across several states. Raised in Hobart, she moved to Anadarko, OK in 1962, where she lived with her family at Riverside Indian School while her husband taught there. She later lived briefly in Maryland before settling in Shawnee, OK in 1968. In 2018, Rita relocated to Burlington, NC to spend her remaining years close to her daughter, granddaughter, and great-grandson.

Rita faced adversity with strength and determination. After contracting polio in high school, she learned to walk again. She was also a survivor of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, working just blocks away from the Murrah Federal Building on the day of the attack.

Family was the heart of Rita’s life. She poured her love and energy into her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, never missing a chance to give generously—whether through thoughtful gifts or her time. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: anything chocolate, shopping trips to Dillard’s, gardening, football games, and HGTV marathons. Her favorite local spots became gathering places for those she loved.

Rita had a special fondness for birds, especially Cardinals, which echoed her favorite color, red. Her garden often attracted them, a fitting reflection of her vibrant personality.

She will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to family, her sense of humor, her joyful spirit, and her remarkable resilience. Rita’s legacy lives on in the love she gave, the stories she shared, and the memories cherished by all who knew her.

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