Dewitt Obits

Rita Brown

Rita F. Brown 82 of Wapella, IL passed away 10:20 PM December 22, 2021 at Riverside Hospital, Kankakee, IL.

 

Services will be 11 AM, Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at the Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with Ernie Harvey, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Maroa Cemetery, Maroa, IL. Visitation will be 9 – 11 AM, Tuesday at the funeral home.

 

Memorials may be directed to the American Red Cross or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

 

Rita was born September 5, 1939 in Hawesville, KY the daughter of Malcolm and Senada (Rice) Ogle. She married Leslie Johnson, Jr on February 11, 1956. He passed away August 19, 1980. She later married Lawrence W. “Larry” Brown on February 4, 1983 in Waynesville, IL. He passed away June 28, 2006.

 

Survivors include her children:  Karen (Randy) Swanlund, Pigeon Forge, TN; Leslie Ann (Harold) Whitecotton, Piper City, IL; Rick (Denise) Johnson, Kenney, IL; Bobbi Johnson Seaman, Kenney, IL; and Scott (Lyricia) Johnson, North Wilkesboro, NC; 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.  One sister, Janet Taylor, Maroa, IL and one brother, Mike Craft, Hawesville, KY also survive.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, June Thiery and Carol Ballard.

 

Rita was very active in her church throughout her life.  She worked at GE in Bloomington, IL until retirement.  Rita enjoyed Bingo, bible study, shopping, garage sales, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family.

 

Rita was a very kind and generous person who never met a stranger.

 

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com