Rita Sisson

Rita West Sisson was born near Farlinville, Kansas on December 28, 1912 to Benjamin and Olive Silsby West. She graduated with honors from Mound City High School and subsequently received her Master of Science degree in education from Kansas State College of Pittsburg. She married Harry Sisson, son of George and Goldie Sisson, of the Wall Street Community, in 1938. Harry preceded her in death in 1986. Rita devoted her life to teaching and doing for others including her immediate and extended family. Following her retirement from teaching, she was active in her church, community, and mission work in Mexico and Palestine. She is survived by her daughters, Nancee Smith and husband Owen Smith of Lakeland, Florida and Susanna Botts and husband William Botts III of Fredericksburg, Virginia, grandson Joel Botts of Virginia Beach, Virginia and granddaughter Rita Botts of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Her only surviving sibling is Gladys Carbon of Mound City, Kansas. Rita was residing at The Estates at Carpenters in Lakeland, Florida at the time of her death on January 4, 2008. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday January 8, 2008 at the United Methodist Church in Mound City, Kansas. Burial will be in the Pleasanton Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 PM Monday at the Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home in Mound City. The family requests memorial contributions to the Rita Sisson Scholarship at Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762. On line condolences for the family can be left at www.coffelschneider.com. Arrangements: Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home, Mound City, Kansas.