Rita Jo Muckleroy

A mass of Christian burial for Mrs. Rita Jo Lopez Muckleroy, 63, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Monsignor James E. Young officiating. Mrs. Muckleroy was born on Aug. 25, 1949, in Nacogdoches to the late Nancy Luna Lopez and Joe Lopez Jr. Mrs. Muckleroy passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, in Nacogdoches. Rita traveled on the pipeline with her parents and attended 32 different schools where she never met a stranger and greeted every person with a smile. During her travels, her father exposed her to many historical sites around the U.S. She attended Nacogdoches High School and graduated in 1967. She met the love of her life, Charlie Muckleroy at the Skate-a-Rama in Nacogdoches and they were married in May of 1968. Rita enjoyed being with her children, grandchildren and friends. She always had a smile and thoroughly enjoyed life. She founded the Rhythm Rockers of Nacogdoches and loved to dance, and was a certified clogging judge. Rita loved gardening and the outside, snow skiing, smiling to the world and traveling. She enjoyed working at the church, including making the flower beds look so wonderful. She also ran the Multicultural Festival for several years. Rita got her motorcycle license with her sweet friend Sammi. Rita was a life-force and she will be missed tremendously by her loving family and friends. Rita is survived by her loving husband, Charlie Muckleroy of Nacogdoches; son, Jory Muckleroy and wife April of Nacogdoches; daughters, Sonja Gehrmann and husband Clinton of Leander, Texas, and Kacy Jones and husband Joshua of Austin; grandchildren, Asher Kian Jacobs, Axel Dane Muckleroy, Canon Wayne Gehrmann, Cason Bane Gehrmann, Haylie Lane Muckleroy, Karlie Rayne Muckleroy and Emory Jane Muckleroy. Pallbearers will be members of the Knights of Columbus. Honorary Pallbearers will be Robert G. Arriola Jr., Kenneth Christopher, David Guajardo, Paul Luna, Vincent Luna, Jack Moore, Buddy Ontiveros, Wayne Schabow, Terry Simms and the Rythym Rockers. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Laird Funeral Home. Rosary will follow at 7 p.m. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building fund, 2508 Appleby Sand Road, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965, or the Monastery of the Infant Jesus, 1501 Lotus Lane, Lufkin, Texas 75904. Condolences can be shared on line at www.lairdfh.net Laird Funeral Home.