Rita Carver

Rita Mae Carver, 84, of East Cape Girardeau, Illinois, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Sept. 5, 1930, in McClure, Illinois to Dewey and Nadine Goodman Phillips.

She graduated from McClure High School in 1949.

Rita was a cook on the river for Luhr Brothers and Bunge Towing Inc. for 25 years. She was a member of VFW Post 3838 Auxiliary.

Survivors include a son, Mark S. (Lisa) Carver of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Debra M. Baltzell of Springfield, Missouri; a sister, JoAnn James of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren, Adam Carver, Jordan Carver, Clayton Carver, Justin Baltzell, James Carver and Michael Carver; and six great-grandchildren, Andrew Carver, Austin Carver, Alan Carver, Noah Carver, Derek Carver and Adalynn Carver.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son, James (Jim) Carver in 2010.

Visitation was Saturday and will be from 9 a.m. until service time today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating.

Pallbearers are Jordan Carver, Clayton Carver, Andrew Carver, Austin Carver, Richie Phillips and James Carver.

Honorary Pallbearers are Mark Adam Carver, Noah Carver, Alan Carver, and Michael Carver.

Burial will be at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure.

Memorial contributions may be given to Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation, 211 Saint Francis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.