Rita Joy McKenzie, 55, of Newark, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at her residence in Newark, Missouri.
Rita was born on December 27, 1954, in Kirksville, Missouri, the daughter of Virgil Clayton and Alma Ferne Ore McKenzie.
She attended the Knox City Elementary and graduated from the Knox County High School in the Class of 1972 and continued her education to become an LPN. She had worked at the Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital, Knox County Nursing Home, Country Aire Retirement Home and most recently with RAIL Home Health.
Rita served as Newark Town Clerk for several years and was a volunteer for the Newark Fire Department. She loved animals and fishing but most of all she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren.
Rita is survived by her dear companion, Chris Marquez of Newark, Missouri; a son, Kris Bates of West Plains, Missouri; three daughters, Patricia “Tricia” and her husband Mark Okonowski of Batesville, Arkansas, Jami Bates and her dear friend Tasha of West Plains, Missouri, and Jessica and her husband Chris Moore of Belleville, Illinois; three brothers, William “Bill” McKenzie of San Diego, California, Roger and his wife Candy McKenzie of Quincy, Illinois, and Gary McKenzie and his dear friend Jessica of Edina, Missouri; a sister, Carol and her husband Scott York of Newark, Missouri; four grandchildren, Eric and Hunter, Trent and Korinne; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents Virgil and Ferne McKenzie and a brother, Larry McKenzie.
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 9, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 9, 2010, with the family receiving friends from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Reverend Mike Wilson will officiate and music will be provided by Carol Hayes and Brent Karhoff. Casket Bearers will be Ronnie Buswell, Jim Ben McKay, Jim Huse, Wade Goodson, Gordon Edwards, and Brent Karhoff.
Burial will be in the Bee Ridge Cemetery, Southeast of Edina, Missouri.
An expressioin of sympathy in memory of Rita McKenzie may be left to the Adair County Humane Society. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.
