Rita Jean Upthegrove, age 68, passed from this life on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at approximately 6:21 p.m. at her residence in Lima.

She was born on November 2, 1948 in Lima, Ohio  to the union of Franklin John and Glenna Marie (Clemens) Upthegrove; both parents  preceded her in death.

She was employed at Grob Systems and was formerly employed at Upthegrove Insurance Agency.   She was a member of New Life Christian Ministries, she also served as past treasurer of the NAACP.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory a son; Richard J. M. Hutchins of Lima.  2 daughters; Rae-Jean M. House (Bobby) of   Lima and Rochelle J. M. Hutchins  of Morgantown, WV.  9 grandchildren; Eric (Tyesha), DeQuavious, Ravon (Brittany),    Altonese (Angelo), Tony (Rashida), Bobbie (Kiara), TreiLynn (Devin), Shawntel and ShaRiyah.  23 great grandchildren.  3 brothers; Glenn M. Upthegrove (Ereen) of Newport News, VA.  Robert Reid of Raleigh Durham, NC.  Joseph Reid (Laverne) of Clinton, NY.  A sister-in-law; Melanie Reid of Coraopolis, PA.  An uncle David Upthegrove (Carolyn) of Lake Villa, IL; and an aunt; Bernice Upthegrove of Lima.  2 special sons;  LaVarous Tolbert and Keith Walker.  Sister friends;  Dorothy Parks, LaVerdia Duncan, Ora Lynn Scott, Ida Garrett and Mae Barcus.

She was preceded in death by a brother; Milton Reid.  2 sisters; Sylvia Gable and Barbara Richardson.  A stepmother; Margaret  J. Upthegrove.  2 uncles; Melvin R. Clemens and  J. Alfred Upthegrove.

Home going services will be held Saturday, May, 20, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at New Life Christian Ministries with Rev. Damian Tibbs, officiating.