Rita Sue Ritter

Rita Sue (Lee) Ritter, deeply loved by family and friends, passed from this world on September 7, 2026, just shy of her 80th birthday, after a brief hospitalization. She was born on September 26, 1946, in New Albany, Indiana, to Richard Eugene “Gene” Lee and Norma Genevia “Genevia” (Austin) Lee. A graduate of English High School in English, Indiana, Rita held a variety of roles throughout her life – daughter, sister, wife, mother, cousin, aunt, caretaker, employee, friend, and so many more. She retired from her full-time civilian employment at Naval Weapons Station Crane, formerly Crane Naval Weapons Supply Center. Rita later moved to Xenia, Ohio in 2020.

Rita is survived by her sister, Robin Haney of Marengo, Indiana, her daughter and son-in-law, Erin (Parr) Moore and Daniel L. Moore of Xenia, Ohio, and her son and daughter-in-law, Richard Ethan Parr and Jennifer (Gooding) Parr of Bloomfield, Indiana, along with several cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Genevia Lee, and her brother, Roger Allan Lee.

Rita was a smart and witty woman with a wonderful sense of humor who was also strong in her faith. She viewed departing this world as merely a transition. She was a member of the Bloomfield United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, Indiana, and later of the First Christian Church in Martinsville, Indiana. She loved animals and the beauty in nature. Her laugh, her funny comments, posts and texts, as well as her unwavering support for her loved ones will be missed by many.

“Don’t stand by my grave and weep for I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I’m the diamond’s glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn’s rain. Don’t stand by my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die.”

- Native American Poem

Rita will be interred near other family members in English, Indiana with a private service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, or the Susan G. Komen Foundation.