Rita Deel (affectionately known as "Memaw"), 92, of Hampton, VA, passed away in her home on Saturday, April 13, 2024 to be with her Lord and Savior. Born on April 2, 1932, in Aily, VA, she was the daughter of the late Charlie Bruce and Gracie Edwards Deel.

In addition to her parents, Rita was predeceased by her husband, Archie Vern Deel, her sons Don Parkis Deel and Archie Vaughn Deel, her daughter-in-law Jeannette Stokes Deel, her grandson, Lester Sam Deel, and her granddaughter, Amanda Lynn Deel, her great-granddaughter, Amber Lynn Harlow, her brothers, Edrick Lionel Deel, Charlie Hamilton Deel, Bruce Junior Deel, Barry Douglas Deel, and Danny Rolfe Deel, and her sisters, Flornia Mae Deel, Fannie Ruth Lilley, Carrie Lorraine Hulcher, Lavonna Vernade Moore, Sally Joanne Lane, and Rachel Ellen Holt.

Rita is survived by her sisters, Patsy Laferne Batten and Polly Gwendolyn Ross, her son, Jeffrey Allan Deel (Ilse), her daughter, Judith Camille Leckie (Gary), grandchildren, Christine Day St Thomas, Jeremy Randolph Deel, Shannon Leigh Torries, Sara Lynn Mulkey, Lindsay Nicole Deel, Christina Allison Long, Carson Albert Powers, Levi Christian Powers, and Jamie Carroll Keeter II, sixteen great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Growing up as a middle child in a large family on a self-sufficient farm during the Great Depression developed Rita into a very frugal person and a hard worker. She discontinued her education before 9th grade to attend to needs at home. She married Archie in 1948, which was soon followed by a growing family and a move to Hampton in 1954 when Archie started as a Hampton Police Officer. Family was always a priority for Rita, so when it became necessary for her to work to increase the household income, she took a night shift job at Maida Development Company. After her children left home, Rita retired from Maida as a supervisor and lovingly cared for young children in her home.

In the mid-1970s, Archie and Rita bought six acres of land in Hampton where they built the home in which they would live out the remaining years of their lives. True to their thrifty nature, the house was built mostly with family sweat and labor. Together, they raised numerous fruits, nuts, and vegetables such as corn, green beans, peas, greens, carrots, lettuce, artichokes, apples, blackberries, strawberries, pears, peaches, wild cherries, persimmons, pomegranates, pecans, and walnuts. What would a farm be without goats, cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits, geese, ducks, doves, and a horse or two? In addition to plenty of fresh produce, fruits, meat, and eggs, they had dozens of bee hives, extracting and bottling honey every year. Rita canned preserves from their various fruit offerings. You never left the Deel place without one or more of these home-grown delicacies. For the grandchildren, Archie and Rita's property was a playground wonderland. They could roam the woods, hide in the shed, watch the animals, pick fruit from the vine, and pull fresh vegetables out of the ground to eat right there with the dirt still on them.

The times Rita looked most forward to were family events, including two annual reunions with all her and Archie's parents, children, siblings, and seventy plus nephews and nieces. Rita kept the immediate family close with traditional get-togethers for holidays and birthdays always featuring plenty of food and getting to know new loved ones in the growing family.

Adoring God and His Son, Jesus, was an important and integral part of Rita's life. She knew her worn Bible well, memorized her favorite verses, and read inspiring devotionals. Rita attended Huntington Mennonite Church as often as she was able. She loved the teaching in Sunday school and her time in the morning worship service. The people at Huntington were very attentive to Rita as she advanced in age. She had many, many good friends at church. When Archie died in 2014, their 66-year long partnership on earth came to an end. Since that day, Rita longed to be with him again in heaven. Her wish has been fulfilled.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home 245 South Armistead Avenue location in Hampton. A celebration of life ceremony will be conducted at 11:30 am Friday, at the Huntington Mennonite Church, Newport News, VA. Interment will be private.

In remembrance of Rita, memorial donations may be directed to Huntington Mennonite Church, 785 Harpersville Rd., Newport News, VA 23601.