Rita Derris Vandivort, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, May 19, 1999, at Chateau Girardeau Health Care Center.

She was born Dec. 22, 1917, in Sikeston, daughter of Walter and Lillian Brooks Derris. She and Charles A. Vandivort were married Oct. 20, 1939, in Columbia. He preceded her in death Nov. 23, 1982.

Mrs. Vandivort was reared in Sikeston. She was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University.

She had lived in Cape Girardeau since 1939. She was a school teacher at Hayti for a year. She also managed the Vandivort family farms in Southeast Missouri.

Mrs. Vandivort acted as historian for the Vandivort family and continued the tradition of the annual family reunion. She had been a leader with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and was an avid bridge player.

She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and former Sunday School teacher. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter BI, and had been a member of the former Town and Country Garden Club.

Survivors include two sons, Clyde A. Vandivort of Kirkwood, retired Navy Capt. Walter D. Vandivort of San Diego, Calif.; two daughters, Martha Brooks Haskett of Boise, Idaho, Rita E. Warren of Bethesda, Md.; and seven grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 4-7 p.m. Friday.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.