Rita Kay (Watterson) Philpot, age 72, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, in Ardmore, Okla. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, February 3, 2025, at Baum Assembly of God Church with The Reverend Buck Bucannon officiating. Interment following in Provence Cemetery.

Rita was born in Ardmore, Okla. on August 11, 1952, to Raymond Watterson and Bernice (Newman) Watterson. She attended and graduated from Dickson School with The Class of 1971. Rita went on to attend SOTC for her LPN then worked at Memorial Hospital in OB. Taking a position with AMC where she became the Director of Nursing after receiving her RN at Murray State College. She touched many lives as a nurse and a mentor to fellow nurses. She went on to work at Elmbrook nursing home, Whispering Oakes as Director of Nursing and then later for Lakeland Nursing Home where she retired after her devotion of 40 years to the care of others. She married Russell Philpot on April 30, 1990, at Wichita Falls, Texas. When given the chance, she loved to go on cruises. Rita loved her family and spending any time she could with them. Rita was a devoted Christian and a member of Baum Assembly of God Church, where she loved being in fellowship with her church family.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Russell Philpot, step-father, G.W. Vineyard, brother, Gary Vineyard, sister, Kathy Pearson, and brother in-law Kenny Philpot.

Rita is survived by her son, Rusty Philpot, sister, Belinda Tate and husband Jim, of Norman, Okla., brother, Steve Watterson, of Ardmore, brother, David Vineyard and wife Pat, Sister, Sherry Parrott, all of Ardmore, five nieces, three nephews, two great-nephews and one great-niece and host of family and friends.

Casket bearers will be Jim Tate, Chris Tate, James Tate, Ramond Watterson, Rusty Philpot and Kallen Watterson.

Visitation will be from 6:00pm until 8:00pm, Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Griffin ~ Hillcrest Funeral Home.