Rita Smith

RITA KAY SMITH, Age 63, passed away August 16, 2011 at her home in Olathe, KS. A visitation will be held on Friday, August 19 from 12:30 – 1:30pm at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S Blackbob Rd., Olathe, followed by graveside services at 2:00 pm at Johnson County Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.
Rita was born March 31, 1948 in Booneville, MO to Benjamin and Chloe Ritchie. She was raised in the Marshall, MO area eventually moving with her husband, Charles "Wayne" Smith, to the Kansas City area in early 1970's. Together Wayne and Rita operated and owned Olathe Cleaners, and later under new ownership, Rita continued to work for Olathe Cleaners until the time of her illness.

She is survived by her daughter, Tammy (Tim) Ray, and son Derek Smith, grandchildren Tyler, Tanner, and Zac, her sisters Carolyn Andresen and Becky Turner, and her brothers Don Ritchie and DeWayne Ritchie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles "Wayne" Smith in 1996.