Rita C McCall

Rita Curry McCall, age 85, passed away peacefully on July 6 after a lengthy illness. Her passing leaves a grieving family who rejoices that she has left her illness behind to go on to her everlasting life.

Rita was born in Bell County, Texas, to Joe W. and Alma (Jones) Curry on September 21, 1932. Born and raised on a farm, her childhood was filled with loving relationships with her many cousins who lived close by. She carried the love and appreciation of family with her throughout her eighty-five years. At 16, she left for Southwest Texas Teachers State College and while there she met the love and joy of her life Lyons W. (Bill) McCall. They married in 1952 and shared 49 years together.

After college, Rita became a home economics teacher. She is well respected for her many years of teaching at McLean Middle School. As a teacher, she impacted her students’ lives daily. The McLean talent show was an annual event she sponsored and hundreds of students participated through the years.

After retirement Rita enjoyed many friendships and traveled the world, as she had an adventurous heart. Her last big trip was to South Africa in 2014. Rita spent hours of fun playing bridge with her bridge groups Club Fidelite’ and Rejebian Club, and she was an active member until her recent move from Fort Worth.

Rita was much more than a traveler and teacher. To her family, she was Mimi: a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mimi’s greatest happiness came from her family. She and Bill raised three children - Mike, Kay and Lisa. The family grew over the years, and she felt blessed.

She is survived by her children Mike and Sallie McCall, Kay McCall, and Lisa and Bobby Clarke; her grandchildren Paige and Mikey Brown, Mac McCall and fiancé Cassandra Groen, Kelli and Gavin Krueger, Katie Clarke, Annie and Waynne Warren, and Michael Mann. Mimi leaves six great-grandchildren: William, Ryan, Grace, Caroline, Michael, and Rhett. She will be dearly missed, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will all cherish her memory.

Rita was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill, who passed away in 2001; her parents, Alma and Joe W. Curry; her brother Robert B. Curry; and many cousins and dear friends.

The family would like to thank Team Rita in Bellville- LeAnn Statham, Neil Mann and Brazos Valley Hospice - and Gloria Roney in Fort Worth for hours of compassion, love and care.

Rita’s life will be celebrated at 12:30 on Wednesday, July 11, at Laurel Land Funeral Home on Crowley Road in Fort Worth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brazos Valley Hospice (302 East Blue Bell Rd, Bellville, Tx 77833).

John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”