Rita Bickley Roose was born on May 16, 1935 at her home on Wilcoxson Street in Farmersville Texas and died peacefully in her sleep on October 10, 2020 in Princeton Texas.
Rita graduated as Salutatorian from Farmersville High School in 1953, and from Texas Women’s University in 1957 where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. After marrying Afton on May 31, 1958 they traveled extensively as part of his Air Force career – living in Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Nebraska, Okinawa, and California before retiring and returning to Farmersville in 1972.
As a stay-at-home mom, she was a devoted wife. She loved their two boys, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren and loved spending time with them. She was always eager to play games, make crafts, or take them on adventures. She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Farmersville where she served many years as a Sunday School teacher for her Adult Ladies Class.
Rita was a founding member of the Farmersville Historical Society and its President for many years. She loved Farmersville and spent much time preserving its history through the creation of historical monuments, restoration of the Bain-Honacker House, and printing yearly calendars full of old pictures and stories of Farmersville.
Anyone who knew Rita knew of her love for animals. During her life, she nursed many baby birds, bunnies, possums, and racoons back to life. Dogs, cats, and birds were always part of her home. She was also a talented artist and spent many hours painting beautiful flowers, landscapes, cattle, and anything else that caught her eye.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Afton Roose, her two sons Ken and Robert, their wives Robin and Rose, four grandchildren (Melanie Cottongame, Bryan Roose, Rebecca Fanning, and Christian Roose), and five great-grandchildren (Rylie and Levi Cottongame, Charlotte and Lauren Roose, and Judah Roose).
A visitation will be on Wednesday October, 14, 2020 from 6-8 at Hurst’s Fielder-Baker funeral home. The funeral service will be Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 2:00P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Farmersville. Burial will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Officiating the service will be Dr. Bart Barber.
Rita will be greatly missed, but we look forward to being reunited with her again in Heaven.