Rita LaVerne (Smith) Wilson, 75, widow of Joslyn Grant Wilson, Sr. formerly of Staunton passed away Monday, April 18, 2016 in the Henrico Doctors Hospital in Richmond.
Mrs. Wilson was born on April 25, 1940 in Albemarle County, a daughter of the late Russell and Martha (Fields) Smith.
Rita attended Chamberlayne Baptist Church in Richmond, VA. She retired with 27 years of service in 1991 from the State of Virginia as a Social Worker. Rita was also a former member of the Staunton City Council, where she served for 16 years as a council member and as vice-mayor. Mrs. Wilson was a member of the Staunton Rotary Club, Shenandoah Kiwanis, NAACP (lifetime member), the Staunton Senior Center, Virginia Federation Colored Womens Club, and she proudly served on the City School Board and the Board of the Frontier Culture Museum. Rita enjoyed bowling, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Russell E. Wilson; a son-in-law, Lionel Berkeley L.D. Davenport, Sr.; and a brother, Russell N. Smith, Jr.
Surviving are three daughters, Shelia W. Davenport of Richmond, Annelisia Wilson of Richmond, and Joycelyn W. Veney of Richmond; and two sons, Joslyn G. Wilson, Jr. and his wife Verlee of Stuarts Draft; and Alvin R. Smith and his wife, Denise, of Phoenix, Arizona; nineteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a special honorary son, Jerry L. Ryles also survive.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, 2016, in the Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.
A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 25, 2016, in Memorial Baptist Church by Rev. Michael Turner and Sandi Scannelli.
Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memory Gardens.Active pallbearers will be Lionel A. Davenport, Lionel B. Davenport, Jr., Joslyn R. Veney, Joslyn G. Wilson, III, Matthew A. Veney, Jorden Hoggard-Brown, and Donavyn Lewis.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of her arrangements.