Rita Ruth Spradlin

Rita Ruth (Franks) Spradlin September 16, 2025 Rita Ruth (Franks) Spradlin, age 95, passed away peacefully at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor on September 15, 2025. 

Rita was born on January 30, 1930, in Minneola, Kansas, the fourteenth of sixteen children of James William and Kitty Pearl Franks. She attended school through the 12th grade in Bloom, Kansas. On December 23, 1948, she married Joe Spradlin in Dodge City, Kansas. Their marriage of seventy-two years lasted until Joe’s death in 2020 and was blessed with three sons: Joe Jr. (1949), Donald (1952), and Michael (1962). 

In her early adulthood, Rita devoted herself to raising her children, working various jobs to help support the family while Joe pursued his Ph.D. in Psychology, and volunteering in her community. Following Joe’s completion of his degree at George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1959, the family moved to Parsons, Kansas, where Joe worked at the State Hospital and Training Center, a research affiliate of the University of Kansas. While in Parsons, Rita continued working in different roles and generously volunteered for many community organizations. 

In 1970, Rita, Joe, and Mike moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where Joe continued his research at the KU Bureau of Child Research. After many years of putting her own education on hold, Rita proudly completed her B.A. in Education. She went on to teach preschool for several years and remained deeply engaged in community service throughout her life. Rita took great pride in her volunteer work in both Parsons and Lawrence. A partial list of the organizations she served includes the University Women’s Club, 100 Good Women, Kansas Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Kansas Honors Program, Lied Center, Lawrence Community Theater, Habitat for Humanity, League of Women Voters (where she served as Kansas state president), Meals on Wheels, Spencer Museum of Art, and KU Audio Reader. 

Perhaps the best portrait of her values and character was captured by her granddaughter, Mica (Spradlin) Morris, who wrote the following the day after Rita’s passing: “How lucky we were to have had her in our lives so long. She taught us so many life lessons: home-cooked meals are the way to go, walking is the best form of exercise, read books instead of the news, host friends and family for breakfast/lunch/dinner, join a book club (other points of view will make you wonder if you read the same book), write novel-long emails describing in great detail even the most mundane aspects of your life (celebrate your life), be an avid sports fan (Rita played basketball in high school and once scored 29 points in a game – something she was very proud of), spend your time volunteering in your community, buy quality but live frugally, grow a garden and spend time in nature, feed the birds (even if they mess up your patio and furniture), remember you’re never too old to play games, CNA’s are angels in disguise, and lastly, there’s always room for ice cream.” 

Rita is survived by two sons and three daughters-in-law, Michael (Sylvia) and Donald (Mary), and Jill Spradlin; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; her sister, Shirley Goodnight (Olie); and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her son, Joe Jr.; and fourteen of her fifteen siblings. Rita was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, and she will be missed dearly. The family would like to thank the staff at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor and the Visiting Nurses Association Hospice team for their kindness and exemplary care and her many friends who provided so much comfort and support since the passing of her husband Joe. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to one of the following: The Multiple Sclerosis Society,  Habitat for Humanity or Just Food Lawrence.