Rita Laverne Cothern

Rita Laverne Cothern, of Arnold, MO passed away on Saturday January 24, 2026. She was born in Defiance, MO on March 22, 1939 to the late Otis and Ethel (nee Tayon) Potter; beloved wife of the late Daniel Cothern; loving mother of Denise Hughes, Danny Cothern and Elmer (Christy) Cothern; loving grandmother of Tommy Hughes, Jeffrey (Krista) Hughes, Danielle Berry, Casey (Kenny) Akins, Tosha (Jon) Debold, Elmer (Gerri) Cothern Jr., Kyle (Rachael) Cothern, Sherri Fergus and Jeffrey Rousan; loving great grandmother of 20 and great great grandmother of 4; dear sister of Roger (Wanda) Bailey, Bonnie (and the late Larry) Ray, Rick (and the late June and Debbie) Potter and the late Floyd, Harold, Charles, Taylor, Elmer, John, Sharon and Mary Potter; dear aunt and friend to many.

Rita loved her family dearly. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and most of all laughter.

Visitation will be held at Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home, located at 1081 Jeffco Blvd, Arnold, MO 63010, on Thursday February 5, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Following the funeral service, a committal service will be held at Shepherd Hills Cemetery, 1925 Old State Road M, Barnhart, MO 63012, on February 6, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 1:15 pm. Memorial donations in Rita's Honor may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the Shriner's Hospital for Children.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heiligtagfuneralhome.com