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BORN
1950
DIED
2024
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Rita McLendon Obituary
Rita Yadira Rash McLendon, 73, passed away Monday, June 10, 2024, at her son's Gainesville residence surrounded by loved ones following a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).?Born in Tijuana, Mexico, on July 11, 1950, Rita moved to Florida when she was a young girl.
She grew up in Palatka and later lived in Interlachen until two years ago when she fell ill and moved in with her son. As a youth, she attended St. Monica Catholic Church in Palatka, then St. Joseph Academy in St. Augustine, and was a 1968 graduate of Palatka Senior High School. In 2011 she retired from Nationwide Insurance Company in Gainesville where she had worked as a word processor for 30 years.?
Rita had a fun and witty personality, and never met a stranger. She was an avid Elvis fan, loved dogs and horses, and loved her family deeply.?
Preceding her in death were her parents, Guadalupe Pacheco Rash and Roy Allen Rash; and infant brother, Leonard William Emmanuel Rash.?
Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Chris McLendon (Julie); grandsons, Jackson McLendon and Benjamin McLendon; former husband, Daniel Earl McLendon; siblings, Francisco Nunez (Judy), Frine Spearing (Steve), John Rash, Tina Robinson (George), Joseph Rash, Mary Byrd (Ronnie), Jerry Rash (Sarah), Cathy Rash, Paul Rash, Jeffrey Rash (Tracy), Lisa ?Leathers (Walt); sister-in-law, Kathy Alvarado (Javier); and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.?Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Masters Funeral Home in Palatka with Maurice Sterling officiating. Calling hours will begin at 2 p.m. - an hour before the start of the service. A graveside committal of Rita's cremains will be 3 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Pinelawn Cemetery in Interlachen.?
Memorial gifts may be sent to the ALS Association at als.org/get-involved/ways-give or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate.?
Messages of sympathy may be shared on Rita's online tribute page at: themastersfuneralhome.com.?
Masters Funeral Home of Palatka and Interlachen is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Masters Funeral Home - Palatka3015 Crill Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177-5398
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