Rita Lorene Shaver

Rita Lorene Shaver was born to Walter Lloyd and Ruby Pearl (Lemons) Robertson on March 2, 1933, in Wright County, Missouri, and departed this life on Jan. 30, 2025, at Hartville Care Center, Hartville.  Rita was united in marriage to Chester Ray Shaver on May 2, 1956, and three sons were born to this union: Wayne, Wendell and Wyatt. “Chet” and Rita were married 38½ years before cancer took him on Nov. 25, 1994. 
Rita was preceded in death by her loving husband, Chet; her parents, Walter and Ruby Robertson; her oldest brother, Doyle Robertson; a wonderful daughter-in-law, Lori Shaver on Oct. 19, 2020; two nephews, Randall Robertson and Carlos Shaver; and one niece, Shirley (Shaver) Fisher. She is survived by three sons, Wayne Shaver and his wife, Nancy, Wendell Shaver, and Wyatt Shaver and his wife, Teresa, all of Hartville; seven grandchildren, Jared Shaver and his wife, Tabitha; Jenna Storie and her husband, John; Casey Boyd and her husband, Craig; Grant Shaver and his wife, Lindsay; Wesley Stoway and his wife, Jessica; David Hiller and his wife, Brittany; and Haley Arel and her husband, Chris; 16 great-grandchildren, Jarica, Jovia, Jayla, Juneva, Naudia, Katja, Ragnar, Rylea, Trent, Abigail, Isaac, Eli, Uriah, Monroe, Pierce and Oliver; two brothers, Ronald Robertson and his wife, Faye, of Conway, and Truell Robertson and his wife, Sue, of Grovespring; one sister, Glenda Robertson, of Hartville; two sisters-in-law, Norma Robertson, of Springfield, and Ilene Shaver, of Grovespring; and many nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends. Rita had professed faith in Christ and was a long-time member of Elk Creek Baptist Church, where she served as song leader for several years. She always had a garden, and she canned and froze all sorts of food to feed her family over the years. She was an excellent cook and was well known for her many gooseberry cobblers at auctions. Rita worked for five years at Rice Stix overall factory in Lebanon, but quit to help Chet on the farm and raise their three sons. She later worked for eight years at Missouri Home Care doing housework, preparing meals, and doing personal care in many different homes. Chet and Rita both loved country and gospel music and they sang in a quartet with Herman and Claudine Hightower for years. They also played and sang in a little family band, “The Hillsiders,” as long as their health permitted. Rita was also a long-time member of the TOPS Club in Grovespring. Rita was a faithful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her many accomplishments. We will treasure the many wonderful memories she has created for her family and friends. Rita’s family would like to thank the staff at Hartville Care Center and Preferred Hospice for the wonderful care that they provided to Rita. Visitation for Rita Shaver was held Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Hartville, and funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at Elk Creek Baptist Church, Hartville, with the Rev. Kelly Jones and the Rev. Dale Martin officiating. Burial was in Shaddy Cemetery, Grovespring. Memorial contributions may be made to Shaddy Cemetery. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.