Rita Lorraine Walters

Rita Lorraine Walters, formerly of Lakeland, Florida, passed away at Wingate Nursing Home in West Springfield, Massachusetts on September 1, 2011. Rita is predeceased by her husband of 59 years, L. Stanley Walters and her brother, Raymond Cook. Rita, aged 92, is survived by her two daughters, Beverly Roache of Overland Park, Kansas and Valerie Rainey of Westfield, Massachusetts, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She moved to Westfield, to live with her daughter, Valerie, after the death of her husband, Stan. Rita was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 19, 1918. Her parents, Marrell and Loda Cook, moved to West Branch, Michigan in 1944. Rita moved to West Branch shortly thereafter, where she met Stanley Walters. They were married in 1949. During their marriage, they lived in West Branch, Greenville and Wyoming, Michigan prior to retirement to Lakeside Hills Estates in Lakeland, Florida. Rita and Stan traveled extensively in their motor home throughout the United States and Canada. Rita loved dancing with Stan at all the many parties and functions at Lakeside Hills. She also enjoyed doing crafts, playing cards, bowling, boating and golfing. Rita can best be described as a fun-loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother and friend. She is buried next to Stan, her parents and her brother and sister-in-law at Brookside Cemetery in West Branch, Michigan. A Graveside Service will be held at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at Brookside Cemetery, West Branch.