Rita Lee Russell was born August 2, 1931, in Hydro, Oklahoma to Cody and Roxy Myrtle (Hume) Thomas and passed away Tuesday, October 3, 2017, at Maple Lawn Manor in Hydro, Oklahoma, at the age of 86 years, 2 months, and 1 day.

Rita was raised and attended school in Hydro, graduating from Hydro High School in 1949. After graduation she went to Southwestern State College Pharmacy School and earned her degree in 1952. On August 4, 1951, she married Robert "Bob" Russell in Hydro. Robert and Rita owned and operated the North Side Drug Store in Hydro from 1955 until they sold it in 1992 and retired. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ. Rita enjoyed gardening, singing, Bible study, playing board games, card games, Dominoes, and traveling to Colorado with the family. Memorials may be made to the Hydro 1 ^st Responders or to Maple Lawn Manor.

Rita is survived by her daughter, Jalee Abbott and husband, Kent of Hydro, Oklahoma; one grandson, Cody Abbott; and three great-grandchildren, Sophie, Bentley, and Ava. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters, Shirley Marie and Jackie Long; daughter, Darla Marie Sykes; and grandson, Collin Abbott.