Rita Smith

Rita Regina Smith, 55, of Odessa passed away December 3, 2017 at William P. Clements University Hospital (Dallas). She was born January 5, 1962 in Odessa, Texas to her parents Hoover and Beulah Faye Jackson. Rita excelled academically graduating one year earlier from Ector High School. She was employed for nearly 20 years with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services where she worked as an Investigator, Trainer, Child Placement Coordinator, and finally as a Family Based Safety Services Supervisor for Child Protective Services. She retired on October 31, 2017 due to her beleaguering health. Despite it all… there was no shortage of accomplishments Rita Smith achieved during her rich and varied life. Rita was initially baptized at Carter's Chapel CME. She then joined and was re-baptized along with her son Marquette Pierce at the Saint James Missionary Baptist Church after being saved and delivered from addiction. She was married on July 7, 1994, to Michael Dewayne Smith. They were married for twenty-three years sharing two sons: Eric R. Allen (Seattle) and Marquette J. Pierce (Midland). Rita Regina Smith attended U.T. Permian Basin University and Odessa Junior College graduating Summa Cumlaude and achieved repeatedly the A&B Honor Roll and the President's List in her academic endeavors attaining both her Baccalaureate and Associates Degrees. She was a firm believer in child safety, and Rita worked tirelessly to ensure that every child including her own grandchildren remained safe from abuse and neglect. She truly loved her family and her grandkids attending every family reunion her health and schedule would allow staying up way past her bedtime to love on her myriad of relatives many whom likewise also refused to allow those shared time end. She served as the First Lady of the Mt. Bethel Baptist Church of Big Spring Texas where she was loved and supported until her demise. Her memory will be cherished and she will be sorely missed.

Rita is preceded in death by Hoover Jackson (father); Barbara A. McIntee (sister), and Michael D. Banks (Brother).

She is survived by Michael Smith (husband); Marquette J. Pierce (son), Beulah F. Jackson (mother); Jackie F. Williams and Patricia E. Banks (sisters). And a whole host of cousins, paternal/maternal relatives, nieces, nephews, cherished lifelong friends, and four special grandchildren: Josiah, Elisa, Brook-Lynn, and Brennon.

The Wake will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be at 1:00 pm, Monday, December 11, 2017 at St. James Baptist Church with Reverend Ronald B. Van Dyke, officiant and Reverend Darren Patrick, eulogist. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To send family condolences please sign her guestbook at www.sunsetodessa.com.

Visitation

The Wake

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Saturday, December 9, 2017
5:00-7:00 pm

Service

Funeral Service

St. James Baptist Church
2212 E. 11th
Odessa, TX  79761
Monday, December 11, 2017
1:00 pm

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762