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Portrait of Rita Wagner Mathews
In loving memory of my precious mom

Rita Wagner Mathews

August 5, 1936 – May 12, 2023
Lived 86 years
Zion Hill Cemetery · Independence, Louisiana
MY MOTHER!
Life story

Rita was a devoted wife for 67 wonderful years and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family was one of the greatest joys of her life.

She loved the Lord and faithfully served in her church. Rita will always be remembered for her kindness, her gentle spirit, and especially her sweet voice that brought comfort to those who loved her.

Cooking may not have been her favorite thing, but she had a special way of making every holiday meal feel wonderful simply because she was there. Those gatherings and traditions became treasured memories for her family.

Rita also had a great love for flowers and their beauty. When we think of her now, we like to picture her in Heaven, surrounded by the most beautiful flower gardens imaginable.

She was deeply loved, and the kindness and love she gave throughout her life will continue to live on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those whose lives she touched.

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Photos
Photo book

Rita’s life, in a printed book

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Lifetime

The world Rita knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1936
Born August 5
1939
Rita was 3 when "The Wizard of Oz" opened in theaters
1942
Rita was 6 when Bing Crosby recorded "White Christmas"
1957
Rita was 21 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik
1962
Rita was 26 when John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth
1971
Rita was 35 when Walt Disney World opened in Florida
1982
Rita was 46 when "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" opened in theaters
1994
Rita was 58 when "Friends" premiered
2001
Rita was 65 when Apple introduced the iPod
2015
Rita was 79 when "Hamilton" opened on Broadway
2022
Rita was 86 when ChatGPT was released to the public
2023
Passed away May 12, age 86
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Zion Hill Cemetery
Independence, Louisiana
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