Rita Jo Caskey was born on December 28, 1931 and passed peacefully from this world to her heavenly home on July 15, 2022. At the time of her passing, she was at the home of her daughter, Lenita Johnson of Flowery Branch, GA and both her children were present and were blessed to be able to say good-bye. Rita is preceded in death by Leonard Lee Caskey her husband of 40 years; parents Tyler Monroe Bryant and Flossie Pearl Bryant; sisters Wanda Sue Giese and Jane Ann Bouyear. Rita is survived by her son and daughter, Vergil Lee (Debbie) Caskey, Lenita Jo (Jeff Crecelius) Johnson; grandchildren Erin Lenée Thornton, Tyler Lee Caskey, Richard Aaron Mundell, Jason Wayne Mundell, Elizabeth Lyneé Mundell, Angela Pearl Laird and Cory Joseph Darenzo. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; as well as her beloved sister Norma Lou Brown and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rita loved life and lived it well. Rita married Leonard Lee Caskey on October 9, 1953, and purchased their home on Lake Tapawingo in Missouri where she resided until July, 2016. They enjoyed lake life even though Rita herself never learned to swim. She could be seen with her “ski” belt on (all three of them) and insisted her children take swimming lessons until they were well into their adolescence and expert swimmers. She loved her family and was so very proud of her son and daughter. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and even great grandchildren. Rita loved her sisters and would host regular conference calls with them. Rita continued her calls with her sister Norma until the end. Rita was always smiling and laughing with a kind word for all her friends and neighbors. She was renowned for her side dishes at events, but her homemade rolls were famous! Rita attended the Grace Communion Church in South KC. Her favorite activities were ballroom dancing, belly dancing, playing cards and bingo. She also could be found at happy hour and didn’t hesitate to let family know it was bingo night. Her goal was to walk and dance again and we believe she has accomplished that on streets of gold.
A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022 to be held in Blue Springs Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., with a celebration of life at the Lake Tapawingo Clubhouse (located at Dockside Drive, Lake Tapawingo, MO) starting at 1:00 p.m. Please come join family and friends to celebrate her life. Vergil and Lenita would like nothing else than to see old friends and reminisce on the years past. Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs has been entrusted with arrangements. Memories of Rita and words of comfort for her family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
Rita was such a sweet, beautiful lady with a quiet spirit! She will be missed!
I will always hold wonderful memories of Leonard and Rita together. I too am sure she is dancing and Caskey is getting the evening ready for a game of cards! God Bless the Caskey family and May Rita Rest In Peace.