Rita Smith

Rita Smith was born on January 14, 1955, to Gertrude Mills Smith and James Smith Sr in Newark, NJ and she was called home on November 30, 2025, while residing at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Poughkeepsie, NY. Rita received her education in the Newark Public School system and graduated from high school in 1973. Rita worked several jobs in New Jersey before relocating to Poughkeepsie. She worked at Hudson River Psychiatric Center for 10 years and worked as a Personal Caregiver for 12 years until her health began to fail. Rita loved to cook and have a lot of fun. It was always a party when you were with her. She was the matriarch of her family and enjoyed planning and hosting her annual family reunion. She loved music and could always be found on the dance floor especially when her favorite song Just in Case by Jaheim came on. She was a good listener who gave even better advice. Rita was preceded in death by her parents--Gertrude Mills Smith and James Smith, siblings Thelma, Ida, James Smith Jr and Shirley Stokes; aunt--Earnestine Smith; niece Tonya Westley, nephews--Rodney and Corey Smith, and great grandson-Yameek Lassiter. Rita leaves to mourn her son Brad (Habibah) daughter Nay, godson Shane Taylor; grandchildren: Tymel, Fateem, Taniyah, Shaniqua and Elijuwa; Great Grandchildren: Elijuwa Jr, Tymel Jr, Tyshon, Aa'liyah, Aa'ziyah, Fateem Jr., Zakiyyah, Trhuth, Joshua ,Zarihya, Naomi, Imani, Kiylan, and Kaiyah; aunt: Mary Mills (St. Petersburg Fl); nieces: Theresa, Katina, and Twana Smith, and Cheryl Taylor; nephews: Brandon Smith, Antoine Westley, DeMar Schumann, Stevie Goodman, and DyShear Hicks; cousins: Yvonne Mills-Bryant (Lawrenceville GA) Bettye Scott (Buffalo, NY), Felicia Goodman, Sean Goodman, Stevie Goodman, and Stephon Goodman as well as host of Cousins, Great nieces and Great nephews and Friends. The family would like to extend a special, heartfelt thanks and acknowledgement to Rita's lifelong friends Carita Taylor, Rose Keith, and Gloria Johnson. Your love, support, and dedication to Rita from the beginning to the end of her journey will never be forgotten. We thank God for each of you. Currently no services are finalized please check back on website in the future. Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph J. Darrow Sr. Funeral Home, Inc. 39 So. Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. (845)452-1840. To send your condolences online please visit our website at www.darrowfuneralhome.org