Rita Jo (Hankins) Yerden, 78, of Anderson, passed away on May 5, 2014 at St. Vincent's Hospital, Anderson.
She was born on January 18, 1936 in Bristow, Oklahoma the daughter of Arthur Hankins and Annie Ruth (Arthurs) Hankins Mizell. She was a 1959 graduate of Anderson College. She was a retired piano teacher and church organist. She attended Park Place Church of God, where she was active with small groups and music. She was also a music volunteer at Bethany Pointe Health Campus.
Survivors include her children: David (wife Pamela) Yerden of Kennesaw, GA, Dana (husband Larry) Stuart of Anderson, and Debra (husband Bill) Yerden-Ferguson of Kalamazoo, MI. 9 grandchildren: Ross Yerden, Laura Yerden, Kayla Yerden, Caitlin Stuart, Andrew Stuart, Haley Ferguson, Karly Ferguson, Isaac Ferguson, and An An Ferguson. A sister, Eileen Beckowitz of Tacoma, WA, Uncle and Aunt, Bob and Vivian Spurlock, a sister-in-law, Karen Hankins, and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Johnny and Ruth Albright, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Dennis Hankins, and a nephew, Randy Hankins.
We want to acknowledge that Rita Jo was the former wife of Paul E. Yerden of Sun City West, AZ.
Services will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 11 AM at Park Place Church of God officiated by Dr. David L. Coolidge, with burial to follow at East Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at Rozelle Johnson Funeral Service and on Thursday, one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be given to Anderson University for music scholarships.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.