Rita Kay Parker

Rita Kay Parker, age 66, of Paola, passed away April 27, 2018, at North Point Skilled Nursing Home. She was born on November 28, 1951, in Pekin, Illinois, to Richard Burdette and Kay Hill Hillyer. As a child, her father’s work took the family to many states. She graduated from high school in La Crosse, WI, and later received a BA degree in art from University of La Crosse in 1973. She met John Ross Parker of Preston, MO, when they both were employed by AT&T, and they were married in July 1980. She and John later divorced, but they had a son, Ryan Parker. Rita returned to college as a single parent obtaining a degree in speech therapy from Central Missouri University in 1993. She and Ryan moved to Paola in 1994 when she began working in the home health care field. She also worked in the Ottawa School District as a speech therapist for several years. The last years of Rita’s life were full of challenges and struggles with her health. She was a very intelligent person and had a great appreciation for history, art and music. She loved cats, and especially enjoyed having her friend Tammy stop by her room with one of her kitties. Before her health worsened, she spent time making jewelry and was hoping to turn it into a business. Rita loved her family very much. Even though her health was deteriorating, she and Ryan traveled to Illinois in 2011 to get her aging mother and move her to Paola. Her mother also lived at North Point until December 2014 when she passed away. One week before Rita died, she committed her life to Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was hoping to be baptized in the near future. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved older and only brother Richard, and baby daughter Natalie. She is survived by her son Ryan, of Fontana, a close cousin Laura June of Havana, IL, and special friends, Joyce Chapman, Linda Fredricks, Karin Gill, Tammy Medlin, Betty Oswalt, and Donna Zornes. Rita will be deeply missed by all those who loved and knew her. To leave a special message or memory please post to the tribute wall.