Merrita Jo Smith

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Merrita Jo Smith passed from this life on August 5, 2022 at the age of 80, in Springfield, Missouri.

Rita was born on January 17, 1942, in Cleveland, Oklahoma the daughter of Clarence and Wilma (Bishop) Bridge. Rita grew up and attended school in Cleveland where she graduated high school with the Class of 1960. Following high school Rita joined the United States Navy. She served her country at the United States Naval Station in Moffett Field, California. During her time in the military, she met and was united in marriage to Ronald Brennan in 1961. Rita was honorably discharged and the couple established their initial home in the Long Beach area of California. In 1970, Rita and Ronald moved to Murrieta, California where she remained for over 40 years. On January 18, 1992, Rita was united in marriage to Jack Burlson Smith in Las Vegas, Nevada residing in Murrieta. During her time in California Rita worked as a accounting secretary for Kaiser as well as several other financial institutions. In 2005, Rita and Jack moved to Oklahoma residing in Cleveland. Following the death of Jack, Rita moved to Seymour, Missouri to be closer to her son Michael and her family.

Rita always loved attending church and was a devoted Christian. She also liked going to visit her family and making memories for her grandchildren. Spending time during the holidays with the family and always loved having them at her home. She would decorate her home for every season and holiday. Rita was also past President of the Ladies Auxillary VFW in Temecula, California. Rita always like sharing her life experiences with her grandkids.

Survivors are children Michael Brennan, Sr. and his wife Gloria of Seymour, Missouri, Lynn Mack and her husband David of Fullerton, California, Debbie Sisson and her husband Donald of Union Grove, Alabama, Ruth Mercurio and her husband Frank of San Diego, California; daughter in law Shannon VanBuskirk of Wildomar, California; eleven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Rita was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Wilma Bridge, husband Jack Smith, one son Robert Brennan, five sisters Sandra Lee Bridge Hyatt, Trina Bell, Glenda Matthews, Willa Dean Bridge, Dorabell Bridge, two brothers Kenneth Bridge and Calvin Bridge.

Services will be held 2:00 pm, Friday, August 12, 2022, at the Church of the Nazarene in Cleveland, Oklahoma with Pastor Steve Brown speaking. Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery at Cleveland, Oklahoma. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Rita at www.chapman-black.com.



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