JT Jenkins receives Honor for Dedication to the Lead Hill School
Grandson Quienton Jenkins
Early School Picture of JT Jenkins
Rita Fern Burleson Service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Lead Hill Church of Christ, with visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11. Rita Fern Burleson, age 83, of Lead Hill, passed away Saturday, Oct. 8 (2016) at her daughter Sparky's home in Lead Hill, where she had been living for the past year and a half. Rita was born in Marion County on Nov. 29, 1932, the daughter of Coy and Ruby (Taylor) Jenkins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe M. Burleson; and a granddaughter, Zoie Riggs. She was also preceded by sisters, Vera Ruth Roark and Coyeta Whited, and brothers, J T. Jenkins and Rodney Chuck Jenkins. Rita and Junior raised their family on a dairy farm in Lead Hill. They retired and moved into town in 1972, and lived out their remaining years in the Lead Hill area with Junior passing in 1993. Rita enjoyed the time with her sisters, playing cards into the wee hours of the morning during their sleep-overs. She looked forward to seeing her two boys every morning for coffee and chocolate gravy. She was a lifetime member of the Lead Hill Church of Christ and a life-long resident of the Lead Hill area. Rita was an avid basketball player in school and always enjoyed a good basketball game on TV. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren run and play and delighted in Easter egg hunts with them every spring. Rita is survived by two sons and two daughters, Billy (Sally) Burleson, of Lead Hill, Steve (Patsy) Burleson, of Lead Hill, Cathie (Sparky) Atchison, of Lead Hill, and Michelle (Brock) Riggs, of Lead Hill. Rita is also survived by sisters-in-laws, Ella Marie, Norma and Lola Burleson, and Kaye Doshier. Rita is also survived by her grandchildren, Billy Jr., Cory, Dustin, Chance Burleson, Misty Ratliff, Bailey, Bandey and Daizie Riggs, and Jordan and Eli Smith. Rita is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Rita is also survived by two sisters; Charlotte Parker, of Harrison, and Doris Owen of Chattanooga, Tennessee, along with many nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Lead Hill Church of Christ, with Dustin and Chance Burleson officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11. Pallbearers will be her grandsons; Billy Burleson Jr., Cory Burleson, Dustin Burleson, Chance Burleson, Landon Merriman, Bailey Riggs and Bandey Riggs.