Rita Mayhew

Benjamin Funeral Service - Nowata, Oklahoma On July 18, 1937 a daughter was born to Jesse and Covell (Francis) Martin. She was given the name Oletha Marie Martin, which was later changed to Rita Marie Martin. Rita attended Douglas School in Bartlesville until 1945 when she moved with her sister Orenthia Grimmett and started school at Lincoln High School. Rita graduated from Lincoln in 1955, where she was Valedictorian of her class. She also graduated from Madam C.J. Walker Beauty College in 1956. Rita was baptized at a young age in the C.O.G.I.C in Bartlesville. On moving to Nowata, Rita united with Visitors Chapel A.M.E Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Secretary local, also District Sunday School Secretary. She was a class Leader Missionary President , Stewardess, Church Treasurer and Secretary. Rita served faithfully until the church closed. Then she united with Mt. Olive Baptist Church where she was Church Secretary and Church Mother, also Vice President for Missionary. She served until her health got too bad. She also served as Lincoln School Treasurer. On January 10, 1957 she was united in marriage to Maynard Mayhew. Five children were born to this marriage, two boys and three girls. Rita passed away on Saturday November 22, 2014. She is preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Orenthia Grimmett, Ada Goree Johnson, Pearlie Washington and Mayetta Colbert; two brothers John and Robert Goree; one great granddaughter Kerrington Mayhew. She is survived by her husband Maynard Sr.; two brothers, Jesse (Iris Dean) Martin Jr., Nowata, OK., George Goree of Grand Rapids, MI; two sons, Maynard (Chevela) Mayhew, Jr., Denver, CO., and Ellis Mayhew, Nowata, OK; three daughters, Laurita (John) Vanfield, Tulsa, OK., Tammy (Verl) LeFlore, Deer Park, TX., Tonya (Leonard Sr.) Thomas, Nowata; sixteen grandchildren, including Marquis and Latoya whom she raised, thirteen great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews including George Grimmett Jr whom she was raised with; and numerous godchildren. Funeral services for Rita are 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 29, 2014 at The First Baptist Church on Mississippi Street with Pastor Anthony Nash officiating. Interment will follow at Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014 8:00am - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Thursday, November 27th, 2014 2:00pm - 4:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Friday, November 28th, 2014 8:00am - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Saturday, November 29th, 2014 11:00am, First Baptist Church - Nowata

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery