Rita Smith was born to Daniel William Smith and Nona Virginia Caiharr on March 12, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Rita died on March 27, 2021 at Sally’s Care Home in Camarillo, California. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, Theodore Smith and Daniel Smith, her ex-husband, Glenn Garner and her second husband, Charles Sturdevant.
Rita is survived by her daughters: Marilyn Kirby of Edmond, Oklahoma and Carolyn Shannon of Canoga Park, California, five grandchildren: Laura McDonnold, Amy Jewell, Lonny Kirby, Michelle Wheeler, and Whitney Shannon, as well as six great grandchildren: Zakkary Kirby, Ben Jewell, Jonah Jewell, Raven McDonnold, Dominik Wheeler and King Dennis. She is also survived by her five step-children: Joanna Hasan Charles, Geoge, James, and John Sturdevant.