Rita Marie Eakes

Rita Marie Reed Eakes, 83, died on Sunday October 11, 2026 after a valiant battle with multiple myeloma. Services will be held at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home. Viewing is Thursday October 15 from 5-7pm. The funeral service will be October 16 at 2:00pm. 

Rita was welcomed into this world on April 5, 1943 by Harold and Dorothy Reed. She grew up in Chicago becoming an accomplished accordion player by her early teens. 

She married in 1959 and had three children. In 1965, the family moved to Amarillo, Texas. In those early years, she sold Tupperware at in-home parties, typed donation envelopes for Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, worked at D&M Distributing, ran an in-home day care, and waitressed at Amarillo Country Club. In 1978, she began working at Beneficial Life Insurance Company. In Amarillo, it was best known as Western National Life. She was self-taught and retired from the accounting department in 2004 after 26 years. In 2005, her “after retirement” job was tirelessly helping her daughter open and run Super Suppers while simultaneously taking care of her elderly parents in her home. She was quite amazing - full of grit, determination, and tenacity. 

Rita had many hobbies and a passion for helping people, making everyone feel special. Maybe you were a recipient of one of her birthday cookies or a small gift of your favorite things (she seemed to know everyone’s), a member of her bowling team, a reading mentee, a Red Hat sister, a Bunco buddy, a Granny Pack member (quite the exclusive club!), were given personal photos or a speciallymade photo album, went on motorcycle or ski trips with her, or were just included in her circle of friends – we were all blessed by her presence in our lives. 

She fiercely loved her family and we are fortunate to have called her our mom, memaw, sister, aunt, and cousin. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Dorothy Reed and her nephews Michael Moreno, Jamie Moreno, and Dan Clayton. 

She is survived by her brother Harold Reed Jr. (Connie Nieves); her children Rita R. Eakes, Mark Eakes, and Kimberly Eakes (William Brewer); her grandchildren Brittany (Casey) Clark, Nick (Alex) Eakes, Markki (Gabe) Marinez; her great grandchildren Michael Contreras, Haiden Young, Gabbi Marinez, and soon-to-arrive Porter Eakes; her nieces Lori (Joe) Haxton, Lois Moreno (Dennis Hart), Christina Robertson; her nephew Scott (Jill) Winkleman; her cousins Julie (Joe) Weishar, Lenny Birdsong and Karen Nielsen; and numerous friends. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Texas Oncology in her honor.