Rita Mae Yates 87, of Brooksville, FL, passed away at her home on April 28, 2021. She was born in Chicago, IL on January 24, 1934. She grew up and lived in Tampa where she attended Sacred Heart Academy. She was the first saleswoman at the Cadillac dealership in Tampa and retired as a top salesperson! She married her husband, Arthur Lee Yates, in 1976 and together they built their dream home, a cedar home, in Brooksville, FL. Rita and Arthur created a beautiful blended family and a home where everyone could come together on holidays and family celebrations. They affectionately called their home “Happy Valley” and it was just that. She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur, sister Helen Harmon and stepbrother Mac Daniels. She is survived by siblings Fran O’Connor, Walter Hannaway, and Michael Hannaway. She was a loving mother to her two children Virginia Haya (Jimmie) and Hank Secora (Suzy), three stepchildren Ron Yates (late wife MaryJo), David Yates (Grace), and Melanie Young (Andy), 11 grandchildren Kathleen Gerber (Micah), Sue Ellen Williams (Wes), Seth Secora (Christina), Stefani Ruskin (Jerry), Melissa Elsberry (Sam), Luke Secora (Lea), Hunter Haya (Fiancé Lisa), Zachary Yates (Jessica), Scott Secora, Kyle Young (Kendra), Ethan Yates and 13 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Rita was an extraordinarily hard working and positive person who enjoyed woodworking with Arthur, sewing, traveling in their motorhome, and Bluegrass Festivals. The family will host a visitation on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 10:00am followed by a funeral service at 10:30am at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at 605 S Macdill Ave Tampa, FL 33609. Interment to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Plant City, FL. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Rita’s name to the Sertoma Youth Ranch where she spent many weekends camping for over 30 years. A special thank you to LifePath Hospice for all that they did for Rita and our family.
