Rita Gail (Tidwell) Shifflett

Rita Gail Tidwell Shifflett, 72, of Mertzon and former resident of Novice, died Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo.  There will be a visitation for family and friends on Sunday, July 21, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 West Pecan Street, Coleman.  A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 22, 2019 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel.  Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Rita Gail Tidwell Shifflett was born July 22, 1946 in Wink, Texas to Billy Ray Tidwell Shifflett and Marjorie Davis Tidwell.  Rita grew up in Wink and graduated from Wink High School in 1964.  She married L.B. Shifflett on January 21, 1966 in Mentone.  Rita worked as a secretary for B’s Oil Field and Construction, a company that she and L.B. owned and operated.  She also worked for White Transport.  Rita and L.B. lived in Norton and Winters before moving to Novice in 1987.  Rita worked at the Novice Store, was president of the Novice I.S.D. School Board and was a member of the Novice Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.

After the death of L.B. on October 16, 2006, Rita moved to Desdemona to be closer to her grandsons.  She was a member of Lingleville Baptist Church and the Lingleville Baptist Church Fabulous 5 Ladies Group.  She then moved to Mertzon with her daughter’s family and was a member of the Mertzon First United Methodist Church.  Known as G’ma to everyone, Rita was loved by all who knew her and always had a smile on her face.

Survivors include three children, Scott Shifflett of Novice, Greg Shifflett of Novice, Kelly Posey and husband, Danny, of Mertzon; three brothers, Ronnie Tidwell of Odessa, Danny Tidwell and wife, Tammie, of Sonora, James Tidwell of Lake Brownwood; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Norman Franklin of Christoval.  Also surviving are three grandchildren, Parker Posey of Mertzon, Peyton Posey of Mertzon, Ashley Tomkalski of Boston, Massachusetts; one great grandchild, Addison Tomkalski of Boston, Massachusetts; step-mother, Pat Tidwell of Seymour and several nieces and nephews.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Billy Ray Tidwell and Marjorie Tidwell Martin and her husband, L.B. Shifflett.

Memorial donations in memory of Rita may be sent to the Novice Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 21, Novice, Texas  79538.