Aretta (Rita) Fae Mccarty

Aretta McCarty (Rita) was born January 10, 1929 to Bert Randolph Tanner and Lena Mae (Galyean) Tanner on the former Sloan ranch near the Cimarron River south of Campo Colorado. Rita enjoyed growing up in the ranching business with her brothers and sister, alongside their parents. Rita often talked about how her brothers and sister had a contest to see how far back each could remember nearest to their day of birth. One time, during a visit from Uncle Nolan Tanner, the contest ensued, and Uncle Nolan easily won the competition by stating that “I remember hearing the dogs bark when the doctor drove up”; the game was retired on that day.

Rita’s parents eventually moved the family to their own farm closer to Campo where Rita and her siblings enjoyed many happy, carefree years working in the family business, riding horses, and enjoying years of family gatherings. Rita used the hard work ethic she learned from her parents and made her own home in Campo, Colorado where she raised three boys. In later years, she opened her home to her grandchildren, at times, when needed. Rita survived many hard times in her life; she nearly lost her home a few times, but with hard work and stubborn determination, she always managed to keep it. Rita made it available to anyone who needed it, children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. Rita worked faithfully throughout her life as a homemaker, waitress at the Campo Café and drug store; she took in ironing, laundry and many other things that helped her make a living. Rita had a great love for her parents and when Bert and Lena moved to Campo after their retirement, she dedicated a big part of her life taking care of them until their passing.

Two passions in Rita’s life were her family, especially her children and grandchildren who she loved in all circumstances. She would go to the end of the earth to protect and take care of them. Her second passion was her home that she built and improved in her own humble way over the years. and was prouder of her home than any owner of the finest mansion. Year after year, she improved her place with trees, bushes, and beautiful grass in the front yard where the family would sit together on many shady summers days spending time together with her family, which she loved the most. Every spring, Rita adorned the yard with beautiful flowers; many of which were beautifully generic wildflowers not bought in any store.

Rita did not routinely attend church; her Christian beliefs were never boisterous or on display for others to see or judge. Her belief in our Lord Jesus Christ were as strong as anyone’s and her dependence on his heavenly guidance was called upon many times. During her last few years of life at the Springfield Long-Term Care facility, Rita often reminded her friends and family that she knew the Lord and was ready at any time of his choosing.

Rita was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Bert and Lena Tanner; Sister, Leatrice Wagner; Brother, Floyd Tanner and two of her sons, Darell and Allen McCarty.

Rita is survived by her brother, Fred Tanner of Trinidad Colorado; Son, David McCarty and wife Lisia of Pahrump Nevada; Daughter-in-law Glenda McCarty of Springfield Colorado; 5 grandchildren, Ronald McCarty, Lonny McCarty, Lesa McCarty, Treasa McCarty and Blake McCarty, many great grandchildren and a host of family and friends.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the employees of the Southeast Colorado Long-Term Care Center and Cottage for their unmatched loving care of Rita during her last few years of

life there. Springfield LTC and its staff are truly a world-class organization and the crown jewel of the community. In addition, the family extends its loving gratitude to Lucille and Phil Nettleton who visited Rita, provided spiritual guidance and support at LTC even after moving later to Indiana.

To honor Rita, memorial contributions can be made to SECH Long Term Care, The Cottage 373 E. 10th Ave., Springfield, CO 81073 or Campo Wesleyan Church, P.O. Box 86, Campo, CO 81029.