Rita F. McMillian

    On the morning of the 24th Rita (NANA) left this realm in the arms of her only child, Pamela Lankford. She was surrounded bedside by her grandchildren Alexa,her boyfriend Anthony, Lillian, Gabriel and Davey and son in law David. 

    She was an ethereal soul. Words of love were spoken. She was surrounded with love. The weather was stormy and the wind blew strong, as if the universe was crying because a strong, amazing gift to this world was leaving. Rita's favorite name besides Mom was non other than Nana or Nanny. My precious little Mommy touched everyone she met. She was married young and devoted her life to caring for those around her. She was quick to lend a helping hand. She served in the 90's on the Harlan County School Board. She helped with food boxes, made preemie clothes for families and took them to NICU's in honor of what her grandbaby Lilly had gone through. She after many years of being a homemaker, ended a very difficult marriage to free herself and find herself. She stepped forward in life with courage and bravery. 

   She lived the last chapter of her life just as she wanted. She was a free spirit, a wildflower, a beautiful soul full of love. She tatted, knitted, made memory bears, hand wrapped wire jewelry that is cherished all over the world. She was the best dessert marker. Her custard pies, chocolate pies and homemade banana pudding would calm the wildest soul. She was humble, kind, gentle and more beautiful than anyone I've ever known. She loved to dance. Shortly before she passed, she had a dream of a beautiful green field. She said she was wearing a beautiful fancy white dress that she danced and twirled in, while laughing with joy saying they were wrong, she didn't have cancer. It was then as she described the dream that I knew my precious little Mommy would soon be dancing. She enjoyed walks, long talks, sometimes serious and other times just chatting and laughing. We had our rough patches as most do, Mom always said we will get through this together dear, hand & hand like we always have. Mom was my best friend, my partner in crime, my confidant, she told me her secrets & I told her mine. She tried hard to keep promises. Her last promise to me was that she'd never leave me. I came from her. She was my first home. She gave me life. We always took care of each other, learned from each other, forgave each other, trusted each other. My heart is shattered, my soul devastated but yet so grateful that you were my Mother. I miss you unbelievably. I miss 4am coffee with the Boston girls. Daisy & Dutchess Matilda were Mom's Boston terriers, her little shadows and sidekicks. She loved sitting outside in her swing, drinking coffee, looking at the sky. She loved all animals & also had 2 cats. Mew & khole Katdashian (named by Lilly) she always had such a beautiful laugh and would joke about things with her grandbabies. They had their own inside jokes. Mom didn't like the sound of her own voice but to us it was absolutely beautiful. Nothing sweeter than the sound of your Mother. My sweet Mommy, you were my reason to believe and I will see you on the other side. Thank you for giving me life, your sacrifices both the ones I knew of & all those I didn't, for being exactly who you were, for forgiveness to all that needed it, for the greatest gift ...which was you. YOU are love. Thank you for your time here on Earth. I know that you never thought of yourself as those all around you saw you. You were everything to me. 

   Thank you to her close friends that stayed by us throughout this. Your messages, visits & just being there with such love meant the world. Thank you Pat Howard for being Mom's soul sister, Anthony and his parents Wanda and sam,Natasha and Rob,Marie Wyatt,Jerry Asher, Rick Asher, Christopher Jones,Kimberly Gross Blanton, Jean Saylor Smith, Bruce Runslow Helton, Christy Hill Cantrell, Donnie Lankford and childhood friend Linda Warf-Lankford,Tammy Bolton-Howard and all those who prayed so hard. We will be having a celebration of life in one of Mom's favorite places at a later date. Rita's legacy of love will live on through her daughter and grandchildren. 

Please feel free to leave a condolence or memory at www.aljfh.com

Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Rita F. McMillian.