Rita Kay Merrell
September 29, 1956 - May 18, 2026
Rita Kay Merrell, 69, of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, passed away Monday, May 18, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born September 29, 1956, in Pryor, Oklahoma, to G.W. Merrell and Helen Marie (Moore) Coffelt.
Rita was a lifelong resident of Locust Grove and attended Locust Grove schools. Throughout her life, she worked at Red Devil in Pryor, Labanol wiring harnesses, as a CNA at Catoosa Nursing Home, and at Angel Care Day Care in Locust Grove.
Rita loved the Lord and faithfully attended Fire & Wind Ministries since the church opened a year and a half ago. She loved going to church and was praising God the day before she passed away. Over the years, she also attended Little Rock Free Will Baptist, Spavinaw Free Will Baptist, and Faith Baptist Church, where she especially enjoyed singing.
Rita was full of life and personality. Earlier in life, she also enjoyed fishing and deer hunting.
She loved planting flowers and gardening, especially caring for her Christmas cactus plants. Rita enjoyed jewelry and "bling," spending time on social media, watching birds outside her window - especially hummingbirds - and cheering for her favorite teams, the OU Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys. She loved yard sales, thrifting, her Facebook resale page, and trips to the casinos.
Known affectionately for calling people "Toot," Rita had a fiery spirit and a loving heart. She was ornery, stubborn, and never afraid to speak her mind, but she was also generous, caring, and always ready with a hug for those she loved. As many would say, if Rita picked at you, it meant she liked you. Rita treasured her family above all else, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rita is survived by: 1 son: Gene Fisher of Locust Grove, Oklahoma; 7 Grandchildren: Alyssa Fisher, Cody Fisher, Caleb Fisher, Christina Fisher, Sckyler Fisher, Makala Fisher and husband Cory Lee, Bryce Fisher, 15 Great grandchildren: Remington Fisher, Gage Fisher, Ryder Fisher, Montana Tollette, Carla Tollette, Kynleigh Fisher, Levi Fisher, Weston Fisher, Laken Fisher, Callie Lee, Carisa Lee, Cortez Lee, Coreem Lee, Coretta Lee, and one on the way; 1 sister: Ramona Morrison of Locust Grove, Oklahoma; Special adoptive sister: Paula Thiessen of Eakley, Oklahoma. 2 Step-sisters: Louise Martinez and husband Coy of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Ann Phipps of Missouri; 1 step-brother: Dale Coffelt and Sandy of Missouri; Nieces and Nephews: Micah Morrison and wife Kendall, Charity Levings and husband Mark, Lisa Burgess Montgomery and husband Vance, Tammy Sitsler, Amanda Benson; Special niece: Christina Thiessen; Numerous other relatives and a host of friends.
Rita was preceded in death by: her parents; 1 son: Ronnie "Junior" Fisher; 1 brother: Ronnie Merrell; 1 brother-in-law: Bobby Morrison.
Services will be held 2:00 P.M., Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Fire & Wind Ministries in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, with Pastor Justin Summers and Jeremy Cooper officiating. Interment will follow at Hogan Cemetery in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. Services have been entrusted to Locust Grove Funeral Home.
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