Tuesday morning Tullahoma lost a beloved pillar of its community when Rita Harris Henderson died at home, surrounded by family after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 62.
Rita was born on April 11, 1954 and grew up in the countryside of Bellview just outside of Fayetteville. She graduated from Central High School in Lincoln County in 1972 and married Frank Henderson of Paris, Tenn. in 1982. They had two children before moving to Tullahoma in 1989 and, together, started Reliable Carriers from the ground up.
In 1998, Rita moved her family into their dream home, a sprawling 70-acre farm tucked away off of Carter Blake Road. There they were able to indulge their love of horses, as well as raise garden beds and house a bevy of other farm animals. The house's interior was as well-appointed as the lawn was manicured, thanks to Rita's astute eye for design. She was known to change the decor with the seasons, and nothing was ever out of place or less than perfect.
Rita wasn't just the life of every party, she was also the organizer. Many who knew her planned their summer trips around her annual corn harvest celebration, which attracted more than 50 attendees each year, as well as her regular Derby Day event. Every get-together at the Henderson farm comprised a lavish spread of home-cooked dishes, including her famous "Rita's rolls," better than anything any restaurant serves; it was considered the highest honor to be invited to her table.
Rita's philanthropic heart led to her involvement in such local charities as Horse Play; as her children grew up, she also played an integral part in the volunteer efforts of Tullahoma city school system, steering many a committee and co-chairing Project Graduation twice.
But generous spirit and fun-loving nature aside, what most people remember about Rita above all else was her love for the Lord. Her unwavering sense of humor and unflappable faith got her through the hardest days. She never missed a Sunday at Hope Missionary Baptist Church, even if it meant cutting a much anticipated vacation short to be home in time for service, and she was humming hymns up until her last breath of consciousness. In her final months, she wasn't scared of dying, she was ready, as she knew the end of this life meant finally receiving the key to eternity's door.
She was preceded in death by her father, O.C. Harris. Rita is survived by her husband of 34 years, Frank; children Justin and Shannon, of Tullahoma; mother Shirley " Pat" Harris, of Fayetteville; sister Linda Roe and her husband Chuck, of Fayetteville; and nephew Nick Scott and his wife Christie, of Fayetteville.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00pm on Thursday, October 6th, 2016, at Kilgore Funeral Home in Tullahoma, where services will also be conducted at 11:00am on Friday, October 7th, 2016. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Rita’s name to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Rita was born on April 11, 1954 and grew up in the countryside of Bellview just outside of Fayetteville. She graduated from Central High School in Lincoln County in 1972 and married Frank Henderson of Paris, Tenn. in 1982. They had two children before moving to Tullahoma in 1989 and, together, started Reliable Carriers from the ground up.
In 1998, Rita moved her family into their dream home, a sprawling 70-acre farm tucked away off of Carter Blake Road. There they were able to indulge their love of horses, as well as raise garden beds and house a bevy of other farm animals. The house's interior was as well-appointed as the lawn was manicured, thanks to Rita's astute eye for design. She was known to change the decor with the seasons, and nothing was ever out of place or less than perfect.
Rita wasn't just the life of every party, she was also the organizer. Many who knew her planned their summer trips around her annual corn harvest celebration, which attracted more than 50 attendees each year, as well as her regular Derby Day event. Every get-together at the Henderson farm comprised a lavish spread of home-cooked dishes, including her famous "Rita's rolls," better than anything any restaurant serves; it was considered the highest honor to be invited to her table.
Rita's philanthropic heart led to her involvement in such local charities as Horse Play; as her children grew up, she also played an integral part in the volunteer efforts of Tullahoma city school system, steering many a committee and co-chairing Project Graduation twice.
But generous spirit and fun-loving nature aside, what most people remember about Rita above all else was her love for the Lord. Her unwavering sense of humor and unflappable faith got her through the hardest days. She never missed a Sunday at Hope Missionary Baptist Church, even if it meant cutting a much anticipated vacation short to be home in time for service, and she was humming hymns up until her last breath of consciousness. In her final months, she wasn't scared of dying, she was ready, as she knew the end of this life meant finally receiving the key to eternity's door.
She was preceded in death by her father, O.C. Harris. Rita is survived by her husband of 34 years, Frank; children Justin and Shannon, of Tullahoma; mother Shirley " Pat" Harris, of Fayetteville; sister Linda Roe and her husband Chuck, of Fayetteville; and nephew Nick Scott and his wife Christie, of Fayetteville.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00pm on Thursday, October 6th, 2016, at Kilgore Funeral Home in Tullahoma, where services will also be conducted at 11:00am on Friday, October 7th, 2016. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Rita’s name to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Tuesday morning Tullahoma lost a beloved pillar of its community when Rita Harris Henderson died at home, surrounded by family after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 62.
Rita was born on April 11, 1954 and grew up in the countryside of Bellview just outside of Fayetteville. She graduated from Central High School in Lincoln County in 1972 and married Frank Henderson of Paris, Tenn. in 1982. They had two children before moving to Tullahoma in 1989 and, together, started Reliable Carriers from the ground up.
In 1998, Rita moved her family into their dream home, a sprawling 70-acre farm tucked away off of Carter Blake Road. There they were able to indulge their love of horses, as well as raise garden beds and house a bevy of other farm animals. The house's interior was as well-appointed as the lawn was manicured, thanks to Rita's astute eye for design. She was known to change the decor with the seasons, and nothing was ever out of place or less than perfect.
Rita wasn't just the life of every party, she was also the organizer. Many who knew her planned their summer trips around her annual corn harvest celebration, which attracted more than 50 attendees each year, as well as her regular Derby Day event. Every get-together at the Henderson farm comprised a lavish spread of home-cooked dishes, including her famous "Rita's rolls," better than anything any restaurant serves; it was considered the highest honor to be invited to her table.
Rita's philanthropic heart led to her involvement in such local charities as Horse Play; as her children grew up, she also played an integral part in the volunteer efforts of Tullahoma city school system, steering many a committee and co-chairing Project Graduation twice.
But generous spirit and fun-loving nature aside, what most people remember about Rita above all else was her love for the Lord. Her unwavering sense of humor and unflappable faith got her through the hardest days. She never missed a Sunday at Hope Missionary Baptist Church, even if it meant cutting a much anticipated vacation short to be home in time for service, and she was humming hymns up until her last breath of consciousness. In her final months, she wasn't scared of dying, she was ready, as she knew the end of this life meant finally receiving the key to eternity's door.
She was preceded in death by her father, O.C. Harris. Rita is survived by her husband of 34 years, Frank; children Justin and Shannon, of Tullahoma; mother Shirley " Pat" Harris, of Fayetteville; sister Linda Roe and her husband Chuck, of Fayetteville; and nephew Nick Scott and his wife Christie, of Fayetteville.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00pm on Thursday, October 6th, 2016, at Kilgore Funeral Home in Tullahoma, where services will also be conducted at 11:00am on Friday, October 7th, 2016. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Rita’s name to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Rita was born on April 11, 1954 and grew up in the countryside of Bellview just outside of Fayetteville. She graduated from Central High School in Lincoln County in 1972 and married Frank Henderson of Paris, Tenn. in 1982. They had two children before moving to Tullahoma in 1989 and, together, started Reliable Carriers from the ground up.
In 1998, Rita moved her family into their dream home, a sprawling 70-acre farm tucked away off of Carter Blake Road. There they were able to indulge their love of horses, as well as raise garden beds and house a bevy of other farm animals. The house's interior was as well-appointed as the lawn was manicured, thanks to Rita's astute eye for design. She was known to change the decor with the seasons, and nothing was ever out of place or less than perfect.
Rita wasn't just the life of every party, she was also the organizer. Many who knew her planned their summer trips around her annual corn harvest celebration, which attracted more than 50 attendees each year, as well as her regular Derby Day event. Every get-together at the Henderson farm comprised a lavish spread of home-cooked dishes, including her famous "Rita's rolls," better than anything any restaurant serves; it was considered the highest honor to be invited to her table.
Rita's philanthropic heart led to her involvement in such local charities as Horse Play; as her children grew up, she also played an integral part in the volunteer efforts of Tullahoma city school system, steering many a committee and co-chairing Project Graduation twice.
But generous spirit and fun-loving nature aside, what most people remember about Rita above all else was her love for the Lord. Her unwavering sense of humor and unflappable faith got her through the hardest days. She never missed a Sunday at Hope Missionary Baptist Church, even if it meant cutting a much anticipated vacation short to be home in time for service, and she was humming hymns up until her last breath of consciousness. In her final months, she wasn't scared of dying, she was ready, as she knew the end of this life meant finally receiving the key to eternity's door.
She was preceded in death by her father, O.C. Harris. Rita is survived by her husband of 34 years, Frank; children Justin and Shannon, of Tullahoma; mother Shirley " Pat" Harris, of Fayetteville; sister Linda Roe and her husband Chuck, of Fayetteville; and nephew Nick Scott and his wife Christie, of Fayetteville.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00pm on Thursday, October 6th, 2016, at Kilgore Funeral Home in Tullahoma, where services will also be conducted at 11:00am on Friday, October 7th, 2016. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Rita’s name to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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