Rita Mae Stephenson

Rita Mae Stephenson, 95, of Spring Branch, formerly of Wilmeth passed away Thursday, January 13, 2022 in Spring Branch.

There will be a memorial service at her beloved Depot on the Hood Farm in the spring.  Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.
Mrs. Stephenson was born on August 17, 1926 in Wilmeth to Arch and Verde McNeill Hood.  Rita graduated from Wingate High School and then McMurray University with a bachelor’s degree in Education.  During World War II, she was a “Rosie the Riveter” making pontoons for the Pacific.  After the war, she met Douglas Stephenson in 1948 and they were married later that year.  He preceded her in death in 1992.  Her first job was teaching in a small two room schoolhouse in Wilmeth and then later teaching in Robstown, Vernon, and Friona.  She retired in 1992 after 34 years of teaching.  During her retirement she enjoyed shopping and purchased a train depot.  She moved it to the family farm and spent the rest of her retirement, restoring and working on it.

Survivors include her two daughters, Linda Mohr and husband Carl of Spring Branch and Iris Bowyer and husband J. T. of Wilmeth; three grandchildren, Lyn Mohr Muligan and husband Steve of Spring, Douglas Mohr and wife Kim of Greenville, and Lindsey Bowyer of Wilmeth; and a great-granddaughter, Jessie Lyn Mohr of Wilmeth.