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Rita Zoe Dye, age 86, passed away on April 22, 2025, at Embrace Hospice House with her family by her side. She was born in Ashland, KY, on May 18, 1938, to the late John and Garnett Lewis. She had two brothers who predeceased her, Ronnie Lewis and Jim Lewis. OUR MOM….. It takes a moment of passion to become a mother. It takes a lifetime of love to become a Mom. Many years ago in the early 1960s a young man and young woman worked for the phone company. They caught each other’s eye and started dating. Their relationship deepened over time, and they were wed in June 1963. But they were not the only ones who were wedded to each other on that day. Dad (Freddie) brought a beautiful daughter, Pam, and two sons, Glenn and Steve, while Mom (Rita) brought her beautiful daughter, Robin, to the union that happened that day. Mom, being a single Mom with one child, became a wife with 4 kids overnight. How daunting must that have been? Maybe not, because 4 wasn’t enough, and soon Kim came along to make it 5. It is probably fair to question the sanity of this new couple, but there was no question about the love they had for each other and for “all their kids”. I am sure there had to be some overwhelming nights of despair on just what she had gotten herself into. I do not remember her ever showing any wavering to us kids, in spite of the many challenges we provided for her. Of course, they wanted all the kids to get along, but it was not forced. Mom loved (and disciplined) every one of us the same. It was her love that blended us into a “normal” loving family, and I believe each one of us feels the same love for every one of us in our blended family. We all have nothing but love for our Mom, and now we have lost this special person. Some special things I remember about our Mom are her “Kentucky quirks”. She brought some funny little sayings with her from her younger days in Kentucky, and we have heard them just about every day since we were little, including just last week. Years ago, when we were much younger and the world seemed safer, she would leave all 5 of us in the station wagon while she went into the Grand Union to shop for groceries. Those were some “fun” times with all 5 of us locked in the car. But….we all survived. Now, her grocery shopping during those days was not very complicated. Most of our meals for a good period of time consisted of different kinds of beans including pinto, navy and others with maybe some raw onions added. It was a special dinner night when we had tuna fish casserole or spaghetti. But Mom never complained and never let us believe we were poor. Although some of us did get tired of always wearing hand-me-downs. But you better believe we always went to school bathed and in clean clothes. And oh yes nobody, and I mean nobody, had a cleaner house than we did. Mom has been a type 1 diabetic since her 30s, but she didn’t let that dictate her life. Her health has deteriorated over the last several years, and especially over the last two months. Since Dad died in August 2023 Kim has been Mom’s primary care provider and I know we are all grateful for the time she has dedicated to take care of our Mom. We all knew this day was coming. In fact, I think I speak for all when I say we really expected it years ago, but it doesn’t make it any easier. There is comfort in knowing she has joined our Dad in heaven. Love you Mom! In Rita's younger days, she loved vacationing at Myrtle Beach with many of our relatives. She also spent a lot of time being the chauffeur for her five young kids who participated in many activities from gymnastics to football. As these kids grew and had families of their own, the Myrtle Beach gatherings grew bigger and bigger. After vacationing in Myrtle Beach for decades, Rita and Freddie retired to Myrtle Beach in the 80s. Later in life, she loved watching her movies. She also loved studying the Bible and was an active member of Forestbrook Baptist Church for decades. She loved decorating and had a real eye for it. Rita, would have been 87 on May 18th. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Freddie, who passed away in August 2023. Rita has five children Kim, Glenn, Robin, Pam and Steve; 10 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. We will all miss mom greatly but are comforted in knowing the joy she is now experiencing in her reunion with dad in heaven. A Celebration of life Service will be held at a later date at Florence National Cemetery where she will be inurned along with her husband who will also be inurned after receiving Military Honors.

Tributes

Rita Zoe Dye

May 18, 1938 - April 22, 2025