'Her Story"
The life of a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend.

On March 4, 1932 in Farmersville, LA Belma Burks and Joanna Raybon Burks welcomed the birth of their daughter, Rita Burks. On November 11, 2017 Rita was welcomed into heaven to live with our Lord. Those completing the journey before her include her aforementioned parents; two husbands, Stephen Taylor, Sr and Glen Carter; her siblings, George Burks, Ollie B. Owens, Belma Burks, Peggy Joe Cotton and Rosa Honeycutt.

Rita moved to Hot Springs at the age of sixteen. She married Stephen Taylor, Sr. and their union was blessed with five children. She later married Glen Edward Carter and their union was also blessed with five children. She also raised her sister, Laura and three grandchildren.

Rita had a strong work ethic and found employment with Timex and Weyerhaeuser. She served as a foster grandparent for Oaklawn School and worked as a banquet waitress for the Arlington Hotel and Dr. George Queen.

Rita loved God and was a faithful member of Visitors Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. She served faithfully on the Queen Esther Missionary Society, Layman Society, Trustee Board and as a Steward.

Rita was one of the last living "Gaines Street Mothers". She will be missed for her "Kiss" that she gave to everyone she met. She would always say, "Hey Baby". She was loved by the children and she would often give them an encouraging word. She was a precious jewel and loved to be fashionable and always dressed to impress.

Those left to continue her legacy and cherish her memories include her children, Naomi Jones, Stephen Taylor, Jr., Brenda Taylor, Diana Ward, Jerry Taylor, Darrell Carter, Ruby Annette Welch, Tina (Larry) Robinson, Bobbie Carter, Norma Jean (Fabious) Cole; three grandchildren raised as her own, Kevin Ward, Kenneth Green, Tamu Walker; her sibling, Della Word, Laura McDaniel and Elbert McGhee; her grandchildren, Kheersten, Diana, Kelgin, Jacorei, Kenyon, Tyrone, Liz, Tierra, Darrell, Jr., Justin, Callista, Edward Lamar, Fabious, Jr., Diamond, Glennisha, Trey Vaughn, Andrea, Nicholas, Keyiondre, Kenneth, Jr.; great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family. Funeral service will be 1:00 PM Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Visitors Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Burial will follow in Crestview Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the church.

The family will be at 219 Robinwood Street.

Guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.