Rita Cawthon

1935 - 2024

Rita Cawthon

August 28, 1935 - May 31, 2024

Pascagoula, Mississippi - Rita Jane Jennings Cawthon passed away peacefully May 31, 2024 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was born on August 28, 1935 in Attala County, Mississippi and attended high school at Kosciusko High School. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1958 and began a career in teaching and library science. She married Robert (Bob) Lee Cawthon in 1963 and worked as a librarian in Moss Point. Rita and Robert moved to Pascagoula in 1966. Rita worked in the Pascagoula public schools as a librarian and later moved to Our Lady of Victories/Resurrection High School in the early 1980s and finished her career there in 1996. Bob and Rita enjoyed living on the coast and were both fond of finding relaxation time with fishing and enjoying the beach. After the passing of her husband, Bob, in 2003, Rita found great joy and companionship in her small Malti-poo dog, Lexi. Lexi and Rita were together from 2010 until 2023 until Rita became unable to care for Lexi.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob) Cawthon, father and mother, Warren and Christine Jennings, brothers, Frank Jennings, Billy Jennings and Bobby Jennings.

Rita was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pascagoula, The Gautier Garden Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Pascagoula Elks Lodge 1120.

She is survived by her son, Stephen Cawthon of Dallas, TX and grandson, Joseph Cawthon of Boynton Beach, Florida. The family would like to extend thanks to her caregivers, neighbors and doctors that assisted her and cared for her in times of need.

A visitation will be held at Heritage Funeral Home, 9721 Highway 63 in Moss Point, Mississippi on Wednesday June 5th from 2pm to 4pm.

Heritage Funeral Home, locally owned and operated in Moss Point/Escatawpa, MS, is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Rita Jane Jennings Cawthon.