Rita J. Edens

Rita Jane Edens March 23, 1935 – April 22, 2025 Rita was born in Corsicana, Texas on March 23, 1935. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Rita passed away peacefully in her home on April 22, 2025. She had a blessed and joyous life! Rita graduated from Corsicana High School and attended SMU. At SMU she graduated with degrees in government, history and secondary education. As an educator she taught classes in the Dallas Independent School District, Highland Park Independent School District, and spent 28 years teaching abroad. She taught in Tokyo, Japan; Ankara, Turkey; and in England for 25 years at Lakenheath in Suffolk County. She concluded her teaching career upon returning home in Corsicana where she taught government at Corsicana High School for years. Rita was a world traveler. Her journeys included all of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Far East, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and all around the United States. In addition, her hobbies were collecting British antiques from the 16th and 17th centuries. She enjoyed her collection of paintings, furniture and oriental rugs. She was an avid gardener, excellent bridge player and was an accomplished electronic organ player. Rita won several major awards in organ competitions in England. She was an avid reader. She also took up oil painting later in life. Always adventurous, Rita completed a Freefall Skydive to celebrate her 74th birthday. Perhaps Rita’s greatest interest was in historic preservation. She purchased a 450-year-old manor house in Suffolk, England and spent 25 years joyfully restoring all 23 rooms. She also cultivated the acre and a half property with immaculate gardens and landscaping. When Rita returned to Corsicana, she purchased the Tudor style Wortham home. She lovingly restored the house and completely relandscaped the grounds. She took great pride in her home and gardens. Rita’s most valued treasures were her Christian faith, her family, her family’s heritage (original land grant settlers), her friends, and her Siamese and Burmese cats through the years. She loved the comradery of her Mills Place neighborhood and consider them wonderful friends. Rita was preceded in death by her parents Irene Kent Edens and Joseph Wesley Edens, Jr.; sister JoRene Helms. Deborah Helms, Harvey Helms II, and Daphne Helms Kennemore her nieces and nephew. Rita is survived by one niece Deah McCoy and husband Byron, Joe Kennemore; and great nieces and nephews Wesley Helms, Ashley Garcini and husband Carlos, Colin Dowd and wife Sarah, Kent McCoy and wife Carly, Caleb McCoy and wife Katherine and Katherine McCoy. Rita is also survived by great- great nephews Brooks McCoy, Brady McCoy, Miller McCoy, Warren Dowd, Gavin Helms, and great great niece Hadley Helms. A graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery on Saturday April 26th at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Preservation Corsicana or to the Kinsloe House. Rita lived a wonderful life and will be greatly missed by those that knew her.

Rita J. Edens

March 23, 1935 - April 22, 2025