Rita Kay (Brunson London) Smith

Today we celebrate the accomplishments and legacy of a spiritual woman, Rita K. Brunson London Smith. This angelic queen was a pillar of her community. She was a God-fearing sister with a heart of pure gold, and saw the best in each and every one she encountered. This phenomenal woman loved all the kids in the community, and her best attributes were her own grandchildren. Though she had many, which she cut hard for and made the necessary sacrifices, the seeds of her wisdom and teachings were bestowed on her grandchild Darquise London. Whenever she needed something done around the house, he was her special work horse.

Rita was born October 12, 1954 in Gillette, Arkansas to the late Daniel and Virgilene Brunson. She was baptized at an early age and was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Ethel, under the leadership of Pastor Elgin Perry.

In her life, Rita was married twice. In her first marriage to James London, she had four children Jimmy Brunson, Carla London, Henry London, and Jerrick London. In her second and last marriage to Henry Smith, two children William Smith and Breanna Smith were born.

From an early age, Rita took up the nursing field like the majority of her sisters. She attended Phillips Community College in West Helena, Arkansas where she obtained her college degrees. Rita entered the work field in what she studied, and began working at Leisure Lodge Nursing Home in DeWitt, Arkansas. Later she acquired her RN license and worked at Dumas Nursing Center.

She was called home on September 9, 2021. Rita was preceded in death by her parents Daniel and Virgilene Brunson, and siblings Shawn Brunson and Carolina Larry.

Rita has a legacy that she leaves behind: her children Jimmy Brunson, Carla London, Henry London, Jerrick London, William Smith, and Breanna (Chance Clark) Smith; nine siblings Restee Williams, James Williams, Elverlene Davis, Lee Brunson, Daniel Brunson, Jr., Curtis Brunson, Brenda Lewis, Alushia “Lisa” Robinson, and Alton “AC” Brunson; grandchildren and great grandchildren Jeremy (Raquelle and Jayden) London, Darquise (Kingston and Kynedi) London, Markeith (Mariah, Milton James, Malea’, Akiaa, and Ahlia) London, Keelo (Keerisma, Keelonta, and Keenary) London, Taheed London, Patrick Johnson, Jaylon London, Ja’Kala (Micheal Cross, JaKobe Barnett, Micaela Marbley, and Rae’Van Gadssen) Bunche, Samiya (Mea’lea Ross) Banks, Erica Conley, Carito London, Saniyah Hatley,  and Anthony Rucker, Jr.; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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