Mrs. Rita M. Montgomery

Rita M. Montgomery of Miami, Oklahoma passed away Saturday June 4, 2011 at Eastwood Manor in Commerce, Oklahoma. She was 93. Mrs. Montgomery was born on February 17, 1918 in Webb City, Missouri to Lilln and Ivan (Fox) Lightfoot. She lived in the Picher, Miami area all her life. She graduated from Picher High School in 1936. She served on the Picher Alumni Scholarship Committee. She was a member of Cardin Christian Church in Cardin, Oklahoma. She was a Sunday school teacher at Union Church in Picher. She was a 50-year member of the Eastern Star and held the position of secretary for 23 years. Mrs. Montgomery loved to cook, especially for the police department in Baxter Springs, KS. She married Bill Montgomery on May 30, 1936 in Picher, Oklahoma he preceded her in death on February 4, 1994. Her parents, four brothers Mutt, Biz, Jack and Gene Lightfoot and one sister Jerrie Corbet also precede her in death. Survivors include One son Bill Montgomery and wife Peggy of Roswell, New Mexico One daughter Cindy Renick and husband Larry of Baxter Springs, Kansas Twelve grandchildren, three great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren Services will be held 2:00 Wednesday June 8, 2011 at Paul Thomas Funeral Home in Miami, Oklahoma. Rev. Bill Richey will officiate. Internment will follow at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami. Pallbearers will be Danny Garner, Wayne Wolsey, Bob Asbell, Jack Abernathy, Gene Abernathy and Bob Evans. Honorary Pallbearers will be Don Mooneyham, Henry Patton and Jim Burgan. The family will receive friends Tuesday 7-8pm at the funeral home.