Our beloved Rita Joyce Nunn Jones (LCSW), left her earthly home Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at St. Vincent. She journeyed to heaven to unite with others that pre-deceased her including her late parents, Joseph Curtis Nunn, Sr. and Lois Marie Bell Nunn.
A 1967 graduate of Horace Mann High School, Rita was a member of the Beta Club, Science and French Clubs, Tri Hi-Y and Distributive Education Club of America. She was a majorette in the band during her junior year in high school. Rita completed undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) where she graduated with honors receiving her Masters in Social Work. She retired after working 38 years from the Veterans Administration as a Career Social Work Administrator. Rita was the lead coordinator for the Veterans Medical Foster Homes; she was a consultant for the Visiting Nurses Association, an Adjunct Professor for UALR and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She was appointed by former Governor Bill Clinton to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board, and she was a Special Investigator for the State of Arkansas Adult Protective Services.
Rita enjoyed preserving her family’s history. She took part in many Relay for Life Walks for Cancer. Her granddaughter Koharu and grandpups Isabella and Reagan were some of her greatest joys in life.
Rita’s Christian journey began in her early teens when she was baptized at Metropolitan Baptist Church, Little Rock. Her journey continued with her membership at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Rita’s final walk with Christ was when she became a charter member of Christway Missionary Baptist Church in October 2000. She served faithfully with all ministries of the church including the Deaconess and Rosalia Torrence Mission Ministries.
She will be fondly remembered by her children, caregiver and daughter, Jamelle Jones; son, Joseph (Megumi) Jones; brothers, Joseph (Myrtle) Nunn, Jr., Dr. Gary (Rosemarie) Nunn; granddaughter, Koharu Lois Tanaka Jones, her church family and other relatives and friends.
Memorial service: Sunday, May 19, 2024, 1:30 p.m., Christway Missionary Baptist Church, 4324 Potter St., Little Rock, Ark. 72204. 501-562-1023. Reverend Roderick F. Torrence, Sr. Pastor and Officiant.
I remember Rita and worked with her at times during our VA careers. She was such a nice lady to work with. She was always kind and friendly and cared so much for our Veterans. She will be truly missed. Please accept my sincere condolences during this time of temporary loss. John 5:28, 29
Ms. Jones was a nice beautiful lady and a beautiful spirit she came to my home several times. Ms Jones sleep in heavenly peace.