Statler Family Obituaries
Yarborough, Rita Marie (nee Compas)
Rita Marie Yarborough, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, at Monticello House in Jackson.
She was born Oct. 12, 1926, in Oran, Missouri, to Leo H. and Clara D. Diebold Compas.
At the age of 16, Rita moved to California to join the Air Defense and proudly became one of the elite Rosie the Riveters. Due to her tiny size, she was an asset to the smaller cockpit area details.
She met her first husband and relocated to Holden, Missouri, followed by moves to Minnesota and Las Vegas. Upon retirement she returned to Cape Girardeau. Rita was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.
She was much loved and admired for her sense of independence and love for her family and friends. She will be sadly missed, but always remembered.
Survivors include three daughters, Karen Ritch and Judith (Dick) McClard of Cape Girardeau and Rebecca (Floyd) Dixon of New Concord, Kentucky; two grandchildren, Kelly (Lisa) Ritch of Scott City and Jennifer McClard of Cape Girardeau; a stepgrandson, Jason Dixon of New York; a great-granddaughter, Raven Ritch of Scott City; a great-stepgrandson, Titus Dixon of New York; two sisters, Clara Cruickshank of Florida and Bernice Glass of St. Louis; a brother, Vernon (Elwanda) Compas of Cape Girardeau; a sister-in-law, Bonnie Compas; and longtime friend, Marjee Breach of Nevada.
As per her wishes, Rita's body was donated for medical research.
Memorials may be made to Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology-CB8108, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.
Printed in the Friday, January 2, 2015 edition of the Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau, MO.
©2015 by David Statler of StatlerWeb