Rita Smith Munson, age 90 passed away peacefully on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 2:05pm where she was being cared for at the LaCour House in New Roads, Louisiana. She decided to have her window opened that sunny winter day and soon thereafter her spirit soared out into the heavens. Today we celebrate her life of love, strength and dedication to all. Rita was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and just recently turned into a great great grandmother. Rita was born on September 3, 1932 in Long Bridge, Louisiana in Avoyelles Parish. Her parents were Jessie Joseph Smith and Anna Benard Smith from Batchelor, Louisiana. She was a sister to Earline Savant, Irene Fusilier, Jessie Charles Smith and Peter Paul Smith who have all passed on. Rita attended Innis High School and loved most all of her teachers. Soon later she found the love her life Mark Roy Munson a sailor for the United States Navy. They soon later were married and had three beautiful children. Lana Munson Day, Johnny Munson, and Jessie Munson were her pride and joy. Lana Munson Day is the single sole survivor of Rita Munson's immediate family. Lana Munson Day, her most beloved devoted daughter, married to Leo Day. The couple gave birth to Rita's only two grandchildren Jason John Day(wife Kim Day) of Denham Springs and Melissa Day Gatlin (husband Michael Gatlin) of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. They all love her so greatly. Rita is also survived by six amazing great grandchildren Alexus Day, Madison Gatlin, Gracie Day, Faith Gatlin, Trace Day, and Dallas Gatlin. She closed her last chapter with her final 5th generation great great grandbaby, Jesse Neal Robertson. The pallbearers will be Jason John Day, Trace Day, Leon Day, Michael Gatlin, Dallas Gatlin, Jayse Robertson, Josiah Clement, and Reid Munson. Rita Smith Munson was a truly devoted family oriented woman who loved working in her yard and tending to her roses. She was the definition of strength, in her own words, "There is no gain without pain!" She enjoyed hunting with the best and could shoot a gun even at 89 years of age. She was compassionate with all her wonderful friendly phone calls that she made frequently just to see and say, "How we doing?" She was independent and took great pride in knowing she could do it ALL by herself. She was "wisdom "because she left so many lessons behind for us to learn from. She had a voice of kindness that radiated with every phone call and a hand written note with pictures that she so generously shared with all her loved ones. She also was a definition of a great cook. Who in her own words would say "Knew how to stir the pot!" Rita Smith Munson is a legend, a wonderful role model to all, and most of all LOVE and will forever radiate in our hearts! Until we see each other again, know you blessed us all forever! What a beautiful soul! Fly high our beautiful angel! The visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church in New Roads, La on Monday, February 6, 2023 from 9:30 am until the religious service at 11:00 am. The burial will follow in Latanache Cemetery. Services will be conducted by Brother Jeff Vincent.