Rita V. Magee

Rita Magee was born on May 7, 1922, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She died on March 10, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Linn Magee, and her son, Hugh Roger Magee. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Rita Patricia and John Patrick Seawell, of San Antonio, her son, Edward Rachal Magee, of Cotulla, her daughter-in-law, Josefina Magee, of Knippa, and many nieces and nephews.

Rita's parents were Hubert and Ethel LaRose, Minnesotans who relocated to Nueces County, Texas, in the early 1900s. Rita, like her five siblings, was baptized in the Catholic Church. After graduating from high school in Robstown, Texas, and Ann Bishop School of Cosmetology in Corpus Christi, she established and operated Rita's Beauty Shop in Calallen, Texas.

Rita married Hugh Linn Magee in 1941. When she was 24 years old she and Hugh left Corpus Christ with a four-year-old daughter and a 10-month-old son in tow. Hugh had taken a job as manager of the Galvan Ranch in Webb County, Texas. Rita viewed her transition from life in a small city to life in the middle of nowhere as a great adventure. She remembers the ranch years as among the happiest times of her life.

The ranch was 21 miles down a rough dirt road from the tiny town of Encinal. This was where the family got their mail and groceries, and attended church services. When a doctor or dentist was needed, the family would drive the 75 miles to Laredo, the nearest (and only!) city in the county.

Settling into a big, old, ranch house, Rita used her enthusiasm and creativity to make a happy, welcoming home for her family. In addition to the usual cooking, baking, and sewing chores, she organized family hikes, horseback rides, fishing trips, arrow head searches, and picnics. She also participated in an energetic bridge-playing group of area friends. Despite dirt roads, droughts, and dust storms, these ladies spent many cheerful afternoons playing cards.

For the next 26 years the ranch was home, but living in such rural isolation made getting her children educated challenging. After a combination of tutors, home school, the help of cooperative grandmothers, building a "school home" in Corpus Christi, and, finally, acquiring a "town home" in Cotulla, both children graduated from high school.

In 1963 when Rita and Hugh learned their third child was on the way Rita was heard to say, "Oh, no, twelve more years of PTA!" But everyone was delighted to welcome a new family member.

The Cotulla home became a permanent "second home," and Rita followed her creative interests by attending the Buddy Benz School of Floral Design and buying and operating the Cotulla Flower and Style Shop for twelve years. Her twice yearly visits to the huge Dallas Market Center to replace inventory were always exciting.

Before moving to San Antonio in 2022, Rita was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cotulla. She sang in the choir and was an active member of St. Ann's Society for many years. She was also a member of the Cotulla Garden Club for many years.

Rita loved and was well loved by her family and her many friends. A funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cotulla on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 10AM followed by services graveside at Cotulla Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.