Rita Mildred Ross Abshire

Rita Mildred Ross Abshire peacefully passed away on Monday, November 25, 2013 at St. James House in Baytown, Texas. Rita, 93, was born on October 6, 1920 to her parents, Willie and Annie Allen Ross at their home in Biloxi, Mississippi. She was a catholic and graduated from the Sacred Heart Academy in Biloxi in 1938.

On May 14, 1939 Rita married J.H. ""Ab"" Abshire of Kaplan, Louisiana. Rita and Ab had 3 boys and 2 girls born to them in Biloxi. Ab's job relocated the family in October of 1956 and the family traveled by train to Austin, Texas with one layover in New Orleans. Her husband passed away June 3, 1982. In 1988 Rita retired from services with the State of Texas. In 1990 Rita moved to Baytown to be closer to her children. Rita was a member of the Catholic Daughters of Texas for 31 years, served on the alter society and the Legion of Mary.

Rita is preceded in death by and her parents, Willie and Annie Allen Ross; her husband of 43 years, ""Ab""; son, Maurice Abshire; brother, Cecil Ross and wife, Alma; brother, Sherman Ross; brother-in-law, Andy Anderson; son-in-law, Leonard Burt and daughter-in-law, Bette Abshire.

Rita is survived by son, J.H. ""Abe"" Abshire, Jr. and wife, Yvonne; son, William ""Bill"" Abshire; daughter, Rietha Valois and husband, Roger; daughter, Cynthia Burt; brother, Walter Ross and wife, Janell , of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; sister, Anna Anderson of Kalamazoo, Michigan; fourteen grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the St. James staff in Baytown for their loving care given to their mother for five years. Also, special thank you to Amber, Catherine, Cat, Rita, Vicki, Gertrude, Wanda, Sylvia, Carrie, Rev. Micki Rios and all of the beauty shop crew.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Navarre Funeral Home in Baytown with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will take place on Friday, November 29, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Assumption Cemetery, 3650 South

I-35, Austin, TX 78704.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in the name of Rita Abshire to the Catholic Daughters: CDA Maria Galante #115, 7301 Hartnell Dr., Austin, TX 78723.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX 77521 (281) 422-8111.