Rita Gale Symanski's Obituary
Rita Gale Symanski was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma September 27th, 1954 to Harold and Thelma Griffith, their first baby girl. She grew up on the Westside of Tulsa, graduating from Daniel Webster High School in 1972. Rita married Robert Symanski in August of 1975 making their home in Tulsa surrounded by their family. Five years later they were blessed with the arrival of their lovely daughter Jennifer Ann, arriving March 10, 1980. Rita went on to begin a career in the business world. Her strong work ethic led her on to many years of success in the workplace, from human resources to accounting. She became an integral part of the Telex Computer Products company Inc, working in the Human Resource Department as a Benefits Specialist for many years. She worked clear up until the point to where her battle with rheumatoid arthritis just wouldn’t allow her to anymore. Rita’s love for adventure and love of life allowed her to live in many states over the years, but her love for family eventually brought her home to Tulsa, where she settled down to raise her daughter, Jenny. She had a passion for life and music was a huge part of that. She loved to sing and blessed so many with her voice throughout the years. There wasn’t a song she couldn’t sing or that she didn’t know the words to. For over half of her life, Rita battled and struggled with her RA. There were so many times where she felt completely mentally and physical defeated. The pain was so great and not being able to do what she wanted to physically was overwhelming. Rita relied on her faith and persevered time after time. It was her faith in God and her satirical sense of humor that brought her through. That, along with the support of family and friends who sometimes suffered with her (literally ha ha)! Whatever she was going through or obstacles she faced, eventually Rita had a smile back on her face, she was never a quitter. She could always comfort you and make you laugh no matter how she felt. She was a loyal friend to so many and to her family that loved her dearly. Rita was blessed with three beautiful granddaughters, Haley, Jordan and Jaden Mathis. They brought much joy to her and were truly the loves of her life. When they walked into a room, her eyes lit up and a smile was on her face. As much as physically possible, Rita was present at as many school events for Haley that she could and loved nothing more than to have her two girls over for a weekend sleepover. She felt they made her life worth living. Rita left behind many friends and family that will miss her greatly: daughter, Jennifer Symanski, sibling Marlene Clemmer and brother in law David Clemmer; sister in law Faye Griffith, brother in law Alan Harper, and grandchildren Haley and Jordyn Mathis and their father Rodney Mathis. She also left behind nieces and nephews: Tonia Leitner, James Griffith, Kimberly Griffith, Alicia Buckingham, Steven Griffith, Derrick Clemmer, Treva Griffith, Jeffrey Harper, and Ashley McCaskill, along with many great nieces and nephews. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Thelma Griffith, brothers’ Donnie and Ronnie Griffith, sister Judy Harper and her sweet, grandbaby Jaden Alexis Mathis. Rita, we know you are laughing with your mom and dad, brothers and sister and loving on your precious grandbaby!! The Lord sees you glorious, beautiful and without blemishes. You are dearly cherished and loved by Him. Eph. 5:25-29 Funeral Service 12:30 p.m., Friday, October 23, 2015 at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel with interment at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens. A special thanks go to Encompass Home Health and especially to Sharon Vaughan, Sharron Gardner , Layla McManus and Chrissy Ritchie for their dedication to Rita.
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