Rita Kay Perkins
December 18, 1952 ~ July 21, 2020
Rita Perkins, 67, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at her home.
Rita was born December 18, 1952, in Bloomington, the daughter of Rex and Martha Hendricks, who both preceded her in death.
She was a graduate of Edgewood High School and earned degrees from Indiana State University and Indiana University. Rita taught physical education at Seymour, Washington, Indiana, and in the Decatur County school systems. She was also head gymnastics coach at Seymour, Washington, and Greensburg high schools.
In 1977 Rita married Joel Perkins in Bloomington. She is survived by her son, Jordan (Madison Holmes) Perkins of Englewood, Colorado; her husband, Joel of Hope; brother, Roger (Jayne) Hendricks of Springboro, Ohio, and sister, Rhea (Rick) Dikeman of Cincinnati; plus numerous extended family members.
A member of Lakeview Church of Christ, Rita was also active in the Women Educators Club, the Decatur County Retired Teachers Association, Indiana Retired Teachers Association, and the Columbus Pickleball Club.
A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, July 25, 2020, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with the Rev. Keevin Gray officiating. Calling will be 11 a.m. until time of service. Inurnment will be at Garland Brook Cemetery Mausoleum at a later date.
Visitors must wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lakeview Church of Christ or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana in memory of Rita.
You are invited to light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the funeral home website www.jewellrittman.com.
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Sweet Tranquility Basket was purchased for the family of Rita Kay Perkins.
(Rhea) Dikeman Family & (Roger) Hendricks Family purchased the With Distinction for the family of Rita Kay Perkins.
Great times in gymnastics, cheerleading, and band. Always a kind, happy, and soulful person. She was a good role model. You can never say anything but good things about Rita. ❤️
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Friends and Classmates Get Together October 2019
Joel, Jordan, and family, I taught with Rita at Decatur Co schools and we were in Women Educators together. I am so very sorry to learn of her passing. May the Heavenly Father surround you with His peace and strong presence, and may wonderful memories of this special woman sustain you in days ahead.
Joel, Jordan, Rhea, Roger and families,
We were so sorry to hear about Rita😔 Rita & I we’re in school together starting in first grad & graduated from Edgewood HS in 1971. Although I went out of state at graduation I still regard Rita as a god good friend. She was always friendly and we did many things together. One was band in high school. She was a special lady whose faith was very important to her and she was a Christian throughout her life. When we would see each other at class reunions it was like we were back in school all over. She will be missed. Our thoughts & prayers are with you during this time🙏🏻😔 Sue (Dillman) Conder & Don🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I’m truly sorry to hear of Rita’s passing. I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet such a kind woman many years ago through teaching with Joel and having Jordan as a student. My sincere condolences!
Full Of Love Bouquet was purchased for the family of Rita Kay Perkins.
Dear Rhea, Roger and family, Sending sincere, heartfelt condolences to you all on this sad news. My Mom, Jean (Hendricks) DeLapp, was your Dad, Rex’s, 1st cousin. I recall visiting your Mom with my Mom very fondly. Your Mom, Martha’s, pies were so delicious. I also remember Great Uncle Fred visiting at my Grandpa, Ira, and Grandma, Faithy’s, farm, where I spent a great amount of time while growing up. May your loving memories help you all through this time.
To Roger, Rhea and Rita’s family, So very sorry for your loss. Rita, Roger and Rhea Dawn rode our school bus and my mom, Mary Masters, was their Avon Lady all through our growing up days. Rex was my brother Rick’s boss at Ralph Rogers in the mechanics shop. Rita was such a sweet and quiet girl and I know she will be greatly missed.
Sharon, Rick Masters and Jan Edwards
I was introduced to Rita in the 4th grade, 1962. But – our friendship really grew in high school. We shared cheer leading, gymnastics, and band experiences, along with other high school activities. Following high school, we stayed in touch and continued our friendship, throughout our adult and senior years.
Rita was diagnosed with liver cancer in January 2019. I spoke to her many times after that diagnosis. Her courage and faith in God was amazing. She, and her faith, were an inspiration to me.
Rita was a genuine, true friend. I will always cherish our friendship. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet her. I will really miss her .
Cheryl Kuster Jenkins
I enjoyed playing Pickleball with Rita. She was always so kind and had such a pretty smile. I am sorry for your loss. Prayers for all of her family.
Cindy Massey and Columbus Pickleball Club.
To Rita’s Family–
Condolences to Rita’s family. I only got to know her through pickleball, but she was always a soft spoken fun loving gal. I so enjoyed being around her as well as playing the game she loved. Prayers go out to all of you at this difficult time.
Mary Moore
Rita was a kind and wonderful friend. We worked together at South Decatur Elementary for many years. She was an outstanding and caring educator who motivated her students to better physical fitness while encouraging them. On a personal level I knew her to be a deep woman of faith and we often shared both joys and sorrows. We will miss her at Retired Teachers. My prayers go out to Jordan and Joel. She loved you both so much. Jordan, she shared so many moments of pride in you with me as you were growing up. May you both be filled with wonderful memories of the amazing wife and mom she was.
Ms.Perkins was my gym teacher at North Decatur Elmentary, I’m graduated and 22 now, but she was one of the best memories I have of elementary. Me and another student were competing in arm hang and she kept cheering me on, telling me not to quit, I won! My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family members, she was truly an amazing person. We’ll miss you Ms.Perkins 😔
Rita was an excellent teacher and good friend. We had many good talks and shared concerns for the children and families we worked with at SDES. I loved her sense of humor and willingness to help. We were blessed to know and work with Rita. Thank you to her family for sharing her with us.
We worshiped with Rita. She was one of the sweetest, most gentle, and God loving people we know. We miss her and send our condolences to her family and friends. She is singing to our Lord and God now.
She was great to play pickleball with. What a gentle soul. Very sweet person. She will be missed
Lavender Reflections Spray was purchased for the family of Rita Kay Perkins.
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Rita Kay Perkins.
So sorry to hear of Rita’s passing. Lots of childhood memories growing up together in the neighborhood on Whitehall Pike/Hardstraight Road in Bloomington. Your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Carol (Daniels) Puckett
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Beautiful Dreams was purchased for the family of Rita Kay Perkins.
Crystal Cross Bouquet was purchased for the family of Rita Kay Perkins.
I was a “Pickleball” buddy of Rita’s. She so enjoyed the game and was always so kind and a good sport. I liked getting to know her and am sorry I lost touch with her in the months we were all shut down because I had some long talks with her about her illness and she was always optimistic. My heart goes out to her family at this very sorrowful time. May our loving God be with Rita and all her family.
Judy McCormick
Hello Joel! You do not know me but my name is Joyce Fogle. I worked many years with Rita at South Decatur Elementary School. I am not going to be able to come to her visitation, but I did want to let you know how sorry I am for her passing. It was a shock to me as I did not know she had been ill. I just loved her and we had many good times and talks at school. She will be missed dearly by all! Please know I am thinking of you and you son and also praying for the strength it will take to get through this very difficult time in your lives
Sincerely
Joyce Fogle
Loved working with Rita at South Decatur Elementary and seeing her at the Retired Teachers. She was a lovely person and always so thoughtful. Whenever she would see me, she would ask about my writing and books. She always encouraged me. I know she is alive and well in the presence of God. May God comfort you at this time and may your sweet memories enfold you giving you peace. Blessings, Janet Teitsort
I had the privilege of getting to know Rita through playing Pickleball with her. She persevered and played when she could during her treatments. She was soft spoken and sweet. She had a positive outlook.We miss her at the Donner courts. I send prayers of comfort for her family.
Claudia Castleman
Sorry for your families loss. Rita was my elementary gym teacher. She was one of the best!!
Sondra Henderson Glunt
My sincere condolences to Rita’s family. I was so shocked and disheartened by the news of Rita’s passing. I had the privilege of working with her at SDES. She often talked about Jordan. She was so proud of you! Rita was a sweet, quiet, and caring person. Truly loved her. The last time we talked in passing at the store, she asked about my grandson and daughter who she remembered from PE Class years ago. What a sweetheart. She will be sadly missed. Betty Henderson