Rita worked for Delco Electronics for many years before her retirement. During her time at Delco, she helped support her own personal Avon business by selling products to her co-workers. She owned Rita's Avon & More in Amboy, Indiana. She even made the President's Club through Avon several times. She loved to dance to '60s music, and the nostalgia always made her break out her painted skirt from her senior year of high school, she graduated from Kokomo High School class of 1963. That was also a time in her life when she enjoyed going ice skating. Rita later married Oba J. Miller, and together they lived a life full of country living, making maple syrup in the woods at the sugar shack, sharing their property with their church family for autumn hayrides and Harvest gatherings. They enjoyed many cruises with family and friends over the years. She and her sister, Marta, made numerous anniversary trips to Shipshewana, ensuring they visited all the local stores. She enjoyed playing bingo with friends and family. Rita was a current member of Abundant Life Church, where she attended with her daughter, Jamie.
Rita is survived by her daughter Jamie Caraveo (Israel) of Kokomo, IN; siblings Gregg Waites of Las Vegas, NV, Jeanne Williams (Steve), Janet Parks (Danny) and Marta Schmitt (Pete) all of Kokomo, IN; sister-in-law Sandra Miller of Amboy, IN; her grandchildren Jon Casbon, Grant Nelson Jr. (Missy), Danny Hill, Megan Williams and Nolan Turner (Madison), several great grandchildren, and of course her fur baby Marley Mae Miller.
In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by the father who raised her James L. Waites; her husband, Oba J. Miller; her daughter Kelley Jameson; grandchild Matthew Hill; grandchild Eric Nelson; and great-grandchild Jameson Williams.
A visitation for Rita will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN 46902, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM officiated by Chaplain Adam Rinehart.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rita's memory may be made to Kokomo Humane Society, 729 E Hoffer St, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.
