Rita Frew Childers

Rita Frew Childers, 79, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away Friday night, October 18, 2024, at Green Country Village.

Rita was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on April 25, 1945, to Roswell Richardson Childers and Emily (Rowland) Childers. She grew up in Plainfield, later living in Stamford, Connecticut and New York City. After graduating high school, Rita received her associate degree from Southern Seminary Junior College in Virginia.

In 1979, she moved to Port Washington, New York where she and William J. Ragusin were united in marriage on September 14, 1985. Rita had been an executive secretary for many companies, finishing her career as secretary to the president of the American Federation of Musicians in New York City. Upon retirement in 1988, the couple moved to Bartlesville where Rita became active at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, serving on the Altar Guild and Agape Mission Work. She was a devotedsupporter of ARF and served on the Theatre Guild, OK Mozart, Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra and Green Country Residence Council. Rita was also a member of Hillcrest Country Club.

She loved travelling the world and the U.S. with her husband, Bill, in their RV. She enjoyed her bridge group and was very fond of her pets, Gracie, Denny, Linus and Duffy.

Rita is survived by her cousins, Douglas William Rhett, Jr. of Bartlesville, Pam Reilly of Roanoke, Virginia, Timothy Rowland of Putney, Vermont, George F. Lane of Pennington, New Jersey, Betty Tomberli of Florence, Italy, Kearney Lane of San Lorenzo Dolomites, Italy, Robert Lane of Baltimore, Maryland, John Alger of New York City, Monica Martin and her family of Bartlesville and Carolyn Rhett-Hoskins and family of White Salmon, Washington; and by her stepchildren, Paul T. Ragusin of Jensen Beach, Florida, William J. Ragusin, Jr. of Southampton, New York, John C. Ragusin of Riverhead, New York and Jane Ragusin Kilgore of Bellingham, Washington. Rita was preceded in death by her mother, Emily Childers and by her husband, William J. Ragusin.

Memorial service will be held on November 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with Father Nick officiating. Rita will be laid to rest in the columbarium of St Luke’s Church. Services have been entrusted to Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. Those who wish may make donations in remembrance of Rita to ARF. To leave an online condolence, visit www.honoringmemoriesbartlesville.com.