Laurita Rhoton

Laurita “Rita” (McPeek) Rhoton, 76, of Oxford, Ohio, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on March 7, 2025.

She was born on February 24, 1949, in Paintsville, Kentucky. Growing up with her three brothers in Shelbiana, Kentucky, she found joy in exploring the mountains and valleys of eastern Kentucky.  She attended Virgie High School, where she was in the choir and graduated in 1967.

Rita is survived by her deeply beloved husband and best friend, Tim. They met at The Sandwich Shop in Pikeville, Kentucky, where he was the manager and she a waitress. Though initially Rita told the restaurant owner, “If you hire that guy, I will quit,” the owner called her bluff and Tim’s natural “Rhoton Charm” made her do an about face. A beautiful love story was born. Married 9 months after they met, they enjoyed 54 years of marriage.

She is also survived by the lights of her life, her son, Chris, daughter-in-law, Liz, and grandchildren, Livvy and Finn Rhoton. Being a wife, mother, and mamaw was her greatest gift to the world. Her generosity, love of family, and love of travel are how her family will remember and cherish her. Being a daily presence with her family was a high priority, and she and Tim moved next door to Chris and his family in 2012.  

She leaves behind a crowd of friends. She made her friends into family and family into friends. There simply wasn’t a line between the two. Some of her deepest friendships span more than 50 years. Her love of baking and cooking was central to who she was to many people. Her recipes were often requested at a wide range of gatherings. She loved to go shopping, play cards, share stories, and be a gracious hostess. She was consistently the neighborhood mom to so many kids over the years.

She loved traveling, especially on cruise ships. Fourteen cruises took her around the world, including to the Caribbean, Turkey, Israel, France, Italy, and Greece. Rita also loved annual trips to a cabin in Canada, where she had become proficient at catching Northern Pike.

She is also survived by her brothers Michael (Debbie) McPeek of Hillsborough, North Carolina and Charles Patrick (Cyndi) McPeek of Somerset, Kentucky; brother and sister-in law, Patrick and Sandy Rhoton, of Mount Vernon, Ohio; and nieces, Amber Rhoton (Justin) McCann of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Emily (Chad) Chenault, of Mount Vernon, Ohio and their families; and several nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her father, Charles McPeek, mother, Beatrice (Perkey) Moore, step-father Guy Moore, and her brother, Jack McPeek.

Her family will gather privately to celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, take someone out to dinner, make a meal for someone, bake yourself a pie, and hug your family tight.

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