Rita Cheryl Winfrey, November 26, 1951 — March 26, 2019

Rita’s Obituary Rita Cheryl Winfrey, 67, passed away at her home in Pleasant Hill, MO on Tuesday night, March 26, 2019. Rita was born on November 26, 1951, in Holden, MO, the daughter of Helmer Poe and Florence (Hogue) Poe. She was a graduate of Sherwood High School in the class of 1970.

On May 19, 1973, in Kansas City, MO, she married Larry Dean Winfrey – to this union were born three daughters. Rita was a proud homemaker and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed painting, playing piano, crocheting, knitting, and quilting.

Family gatherings were most important to her, and she was delighted to be the event photographer. She was very interested in genealogy, and she could connect her ancestry to Edgar Allan Poe (he and Rita were 12th cousins! ).

She had the opportunity to go on five cruises throughout her life, with the trip to a private island called Half Moon Cay being her most favorite. She was so kind, fun-loving, and had a heart of gold. Rita is survived by her husband of nearly 46 years, Larry, of the home; three daughters: Kimberly Vincent (husband James), of Pleasant Hill, MO, Lisa Diehl, of Independence, MO, and Rachel Wilbers (husband Eric) of Butler, MO; grandchildren, Gabriel Vincent, Emma Vincent, Alexandra Khant (husband Zin), Schanda Miller, Isaiah Miller, Kaylee Wilbers, Erica Wilbers, and Baby Wilbers due in October; five siblings: Denise Ribas, Dennis Poe, James Poe, Gary Poe, and Patricia O’Riley; numerous nieces and nephews, and her beloved Luigi, her Chihuahua/Shih Tzu mix who is so ugly he’s cute.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Helmer and Florence Poe; and four siblings: Floyd Poe, Wayne Poe, Robert Poe, and Barbara Donner. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 2:00 p.m., at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home with Pastor David Beaver officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be James Vincent, Eric Wilbers, Adam O’Riley, Jacob O’Riley, Zin Khant, and Tony Brown. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation and checks can be left in care of the funeral home.

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