Ritalee McGinnis

(From Parker Mortuary)

Ritalee Angela McGinnis, age 55 of Carthage, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at the Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. Her life was taken by COVID-19 that is the only thing that kept her loving family and friends from being by her side.

Rita was the precious daughter of Gladys Henry (Gary) of Carthage MO. Rita grew up in Carthage and graduated from Carthage High School. 

Then Rita married the man that stole her heart, Butch McGinnis on September 9, 1989. She was a proud mother that adored her daughters, granddaughter, and so many of her friends that she adopted the same as family. She was a faithful servant of Jehovah and a member of the Carthage Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. 

When we think of Rita and the many things she loved in life like her God Jehovah, her birds Liza and Jacko, the color purple, and being feisty with her Best Friend LaDonna Kasperski, how everything had to have a name, she saw art in all of her surroundings and could draw it for you. We are so glad that she got to hold and dote on her adorable granddaughter Remi, whom she was already teaching to be fabulous, just born June 16, 2020 to daughter Laci and son in law Caleb Lawrence.

It will not be long before Rita's hope for the future comes to fruition as found in the Holy Scriptures at Psalm 37:11, 29 "But the meek will possess the earth and they will find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. (29) The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it."

Rita is survived by her mother Gladys Henry and Gary, husband Butch McGinnis, daughters Tia Joy Hill and Laci Marie Lawrence, Tia's husband Josh Hill, Laci's husband Caleb Lawrence, and the icing on the cupcake granddaughter Remington Rose.

Her ashes will be buried along with her Grandfather Ralph Leon Dilbeck and Grandmother Rosa Lee Dilbeck. There will be a memorial service at a later date via Zoom. Her family and friends will be invited to watch when services are set.