Rita Caldwell, daughter of the late William Edgar Watson and Rachel Aretta Williams Watson, was born near Arab on Oct. 21, 1917, and died at Puxico Nursing Center on Thursday, April 27, 2006, at the age of 88.

Mrs. Caldwell was a homemaker and did babysitting in her home. She attended the Egypt Church near Puxico. Her hobby was spending time with her family.

On Feb. 1, 1939, she was united in marriage to Naman Caldwell near Puxico.

Surviving are her husband, Naman Caldwell of Puxico; two sons, Larry Caldwell of Imperial and Garry Caldwell of Peveley; two daughters, Gayle Miller of Hecker, Ill., and Trenna Hale of Festus; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Willard and Walter Watson; three sisters, Nellie Harty, Janette Kleffer and Johnny Pollard.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 2006, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Puxico.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 30, 2006, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Chapel in Puxico with Rev. Wayne Burchett of Puxico officiating.

Interment will follow in the Puxico Cemetery with Watkins & Sons Funeral Home of Puxico in charge of arrangements.