Rita J. Padgett Vinson

Rita Vinson began in this world as Rita Justine Padgett, the daughter of Nellie Carlisle Padgett and Charles Dewey Padgett. She was born at home in Charleston, MO, June 10, 1919. She went to be with her heavenly Father on Thursday, January 16, 2014, after a brief stay at Riverways Manor, in Van Buren, MO.

Mrs. Vinson was baptized at St. Henry's Catholic Church in Charleston, MO where she would later attend school. Her handmade baptismal gown and bonnet is a family treasure, kept enclosed and framed, proudly displayed by her family. Her family relocated to Poplar Bluff, Mo from Charleston.

She began her professional career at The Shoe Factory where she met and married Edward ""Hack"" Haskell Vinson. They were married at Sacred Heart Church in Poplar Bluff. Rita left the work force to raise their four children, William Dean Vinson, Edward Charles Vinson, Sharon G. Vinson-Jones and Daniel A. Vinson. They were baptized and faithfully attended Sacred Heart Church in Poplar Bluff, where they were raised. They followed in their mother's footsteps as graduates of Poplar Bluff High School.

She worked at Gillespie's Grocery when her children reached school age, and later worked for a number of years at Anderson Furniture store, helping countless residents of Poplar Bluff furnish their homes. She was a standout for her cheerful attitude and known as the ""cute red head"".

In 1973 she moved to Naples, Florida and began working in the accounting department for The Marriot Hotel on Marco Island, FL. She excitedly retired at 62 only to realize she missed working. To her delight, the accounting department was lost with out her and begged her to return. She remained an asset to The Marriott, when she retired for the second time. With free time on her hands, she volunteered a few days a week for Senior Health Center in Naples, FL. Recognizing her talents, they immediately offered her a job. Once again she was a member of the work force. Her neighbor's could set their clocks by the sight of tiny Rita driving her huge Cadillac to and from the Senior Health Center.

Rita was finally able to devote herself to her faith and her family. She was known for making hand made gifts for those she loved. She made baby blankets for all her grandchildren, which became her family tradition and are now family treasures. Somehow, each blanket, as special and different as the grandchild became their favorite. Her grandson, Matthew, carried his blanket from Rita much longer than intended. Married with two children, Matthew ""loaned"" his blanket to his son, Jake, for a few months. The current location of Matt's blanket is unknown, Rita's family suspects it can be found under his pillow, a gift made special by his grandmother's love.

Rita and Hack settled into their retirement, residing at the Hitching Post Park in Naples, Florida for 30 years, where they became fixtures. She would form many lifelong friendships there with fellow retirees and ""snowbirds"". They were almost as well known as their beloved dogs, Pokey and Mindy. Their children, who had a habit of leaving a grandchild or two behind, often joined Rita and Hack at their home. To the delight of the grandchildren, Rita would insure that the cookie jar was full, that pool towels were ready and the pull out couch was made. Sleepovers at Grandma Rita's were always a treat, they never wanted for anything as long as they asked Grandma Rita.

She is preceded in death by her husband Hack Vinson and their son William Dean Vinson and their grandson Wayne Vinson. Her parents Charles D. Padgett, Nellie Carlisle-Padgett, their daughter, Hilda Bernice Padgett and sons Charles Padgett and Edward P. Padgett have also preceded her.

She will be greatly missed by her living children, Edward Charles Vinson and Angie of Van Buren, MO, Sharon G. Vinson-Jones and Floyd of Jasper, GA, and Daniel A. Vinson and Stephanie of Avondale AZ.

She is the beloved grandmother to eight grandchildren; Teresa Vinson Schwab, Major Sean Vinson, United States Army, Christine Vinson, Matthew B. Jones, Lesley Anne Jones, Steven Vinson, and Daniel (Boomer) Vinson II.; and step grandchildren, Debbie Stone, Bridgette Hendry and Jason Hendry. She is the beloved great grandmother to the many great grandchildren.

She also leaves behind her special beloved friends' Mary Zadnick and Jeanne Vinson, and ""The Bingo Girls"".

A life long and active member of the Catholic church, Rita was very proud of her service in the Saint Ann's Alter Society, as School Secretary for Sacred Heart PTA, as a member of St. Peter the Apostle, as a Member of Sacred Heart Parish in Poplar Bluff, as a member of St. Peter the Apostle's in Naples, FL and as a member of Our Lady of the Mountains in Jasper, GA.

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. A celebration of life service will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel with Deacon David Farris officiating.

The family of Rita Vinson asks that in lieu of flowers she be honored with donation to her beloved home church, Sacred Heart Parish at 123 North 8th Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901-6386. Rita was very instrumental in raising the funds that built Sacred Heart's current location.