Rita Lee Yokum
December 13, 1945 - July 26, 2013
Obituary
Rita Lee Yokum passed away on July 26, 2013.
She was the loving wife of husband, Jim Yokum, mother of cherished children, Jim and Steve, and grandmother of beloved Ryan, Jordan & Lexi .
She spent 38 years as a registered nurse and finished her career at Harborview Medical Center. She enjoyed spending time with her family and being with her faithful dog, Seely. Her generosity, kindness and compassion will be missed by all.
I’ll love you forever my angel, save a place for me by you in heaven. May God bless us forever.
Jimmy
I love you mom. Thank you for loving me.
I’m so sorry to hear of Rita’s passing. My sincere condolescences to her family. I worked many years with Rita. She inspired me in many ways, and I will always remember her patience, warm smile and kind spirit. Love you, Rita.
Miss you sorely! Love you Mom!
I WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH BABY SISTER! YOU WILL BE IN MY HEART FOREVER.
I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE BORN. I WATCHED YOU GROW UP INTO A SISTER TO BE SO VERY PROUD OF.
MY HEARTFELT DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO JIMMY AND YOUR SONS AND GRANDCHILDREN. I UNDERSTAND THEIR PAIN.
My deepest and heartfelt condolences to you Jim, and your wonderful family. My prayers are with all of you. May God Bless all of you and keep you safe in His arms.
To the Yokum Family,
Our truest regrets and sympathies–I never met Rita, but having known and worked with Steve for the past 4 years, it’s clear the kind of amazing woman she was! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at what we know is an extremely challenging time!
I only met Rita a couple times but through my working relationship with Jim I felt I knew her well. His love and admiration for her was always very obvious. Both Jim & Rita have prayed for my husband Gregg and I as we had health trials. Jim spoke often of her beauty inside and out and how fortunate he was to have her as his wife. I pray God will comfort him and his family for their loss but Gods gain. And knowing they will all be a family again in Gods timing.
I came into the Yokum family only one month before losing my own mother. Rita was loving and gentle and they all we so wonderfully instrumental in helping me through my loss. My husband is the most kind, gracious, respectful and loving companion thanks to the care and love he learned and had for his mother. We had many plans for our future life with mom. This unexpected life path will remind us to make every day count and not to take for granted that there may not be a tomorrow to tell those we love how much they really mean to us. We will grieve and miss Rita for many years to come and will turn to our faith knowing she is in a better place, free from suffering and loving us as she always has.
I love you my brother and my heart hurts for you in your loss. IO know that, in the strength of your faith, you will pull through this with Christ’s help. Please know we love you and you’re in our hearts and prayers. I love you, little brother.
There are simply no words to adequately express my sympathy for your loss. At this sad time, trust your faith and the love of God to give you strength. There is light – there is always a sunrise tomorrow.
I’m going to miss my Lil Sister. For many years I called her Wee Wita! I have many fond memories of her. I love my little Sister.
We will all miss Rita. She was loved by many .
I know she is watching down on all of us to see
all the support everyone has given her husband Jimmy.
We will all see you again Rita someday.
Miss You
May God Bless you and your family and comfort you during your time of sorrow!
I first met Rita at Tammy’s bridal shower. She was so gracious and looked adorable as she had toilet paper wrapped around her trying to guess what Tammy’s bridal dress looked like. My heart and prayers go out to the entire family during this time of grief. May you find comfort in knowing she is at peace and feel the support from all those who love and care about you. .
Although I never knew Rita well, I knew her through my cousin, Jimmy and through her good deeds and works and most of all, through the love of her family. God has reserved a very special place for this kind and generous lady and for her loving family, left behind, for now. My son – Sonny (Wade Patrick), my brother – John and his family, my Mother – Corkie, my brother Bill Jr.’s kids, Shelly and Mike and their respective families, and myself, send our most fervent prayers, our deepest sympathy, and our profound and abiding love to you, Jimmy and your children and grandchildren. May God wrap you all in His arms with the consolation and strength that only He can give you. God bless you all now and forever. We will have masses said for you all and for Rita.
I’m sorry I never got to meet Rita, but I realize how much you will miss her. Time will never erase this kind of loss. Hold on to your memories, and someday you’ll be togeter again.
My prayers and best wishes are with you all.
Dear Yokum Family,
Rita will truly be missed by all those who loved her and was touched in some way by her love and kindness, but she will never be forgotten! We will see Rita and our loved ones again! Per I Thessalonians 4:13-18
Now also we would not have you ignorant, brothers and sisters in Christ, about those who fall asleep in death, that you may not grieve [for them] as the rest do who have no hope [beyond the grave].
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [in death].
For this we declare to you by the Lord’s [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him in death].
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will Rise First.
Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through out the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!
Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.
I love you ALL so much,
Patrice
While I didn’t know Rita I am sure she was a very special lady. For the family, you know you will be reunited one day. May God give you strength to face your loss.
Blessings
Rae Philpott
Aunt Rita will always hold a special place in my heart. Anytime that I saw her she always made me feel loved. From the earliest age I always remember that whenever she came to visit, how warm the house felt. Whenever I think about her, I see her smile and feel that warmth all over again. Goodbye Aunt Rita, we love you and will always remember you.
To Rita’s loving family;
All of her friends at Harborview are so sad to hear of Rita’s passing. She was a part of our lives for so many years and we will never forget her sweet ways and all of the things that she taught us.
We are so sorry that we cannot be with you at the service. Our hearts and thoughts will be with all of you.
Rita you will always be in my heart. I love you and am so very proud to have had you in my life. What a wonderful mother-in-law.
Rita, you was a real special lady; always had a big smile. When l think of you I’ll see that smile. Family get together just won’t be the same with out you and your desserts. We’ll miss you, “Keep Smiling”
Goodbye my friend and sister in law. You will be missed very much. You will always have a special place in my heart.
Love you,
Melinda
Although I wasn’t the closest with Rita, I do have alot of amazing memories that I will never forget thanks to her. The very first thing, no matter where you were, you had to give Rita a hug. She always filled the room with happiness when she came in and she was always, always smiling. When I think back to alot of event that have happened in my life, she was usually there. Although I’m not a Yokum, she treated me as if I was her own grandson. I still remember years ago when Rita told jimmy that he could not have anymore cookies, he looked at me and started shoving cookies in his pockets and laughing. I saw Rita shortly after that, and I could tell by the look on her face, she knew what we had done, but she didn’t say anything. When I enlisted, Rita was one of the very first people to congratulate me for making that commitment, and said she was very proud. She even wrote me while I was in basic training. She became a significantly large part of my life, from tulip festivals and Marie calendars every year, hugs and laughs to her healthy and sometimes weird food she’d bring for Christmas dinner but it was always good. I am going to miss everything she did and was, to me and this family. I wish I could be here in person today, so I could support and pray with you all. God bless you Rita, and the Yokum family. Heaven gained another angel.
We were all so lucky to have Rita/grandma in our lives. She loved her garded a lot and would have me help weed it. I was always a good feeling to impress her. We had lots of serious conversations about school which has helped me reflect on the way I should be living my life. She was a very hard worker and throughout her life was always focused on moving forward. I could always see, through her emotion and stories, how motivated she was to help others succeed and how truly dedicated she once was to becoming, and then became, a great contributor to our society. Your love and kind words will be missed.
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. I met Rita last year when she cam e to visit in Maryland. Lovely Lady. My prayers are with you and may God Bless you in your time of need.
Steve,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. She must have been an incredible person to have raised such a kind and caring son. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Heidi
To the Yokum family…..your mother was so gracious to visit our son at Harborview during a 14 day stay, as a result of being hit by a DUI. Mrs. Yokum was so thoughtful and caring, she really loved her job.
The Yokum family is a very caring, warm family and will come through this latest passing in a stronger way. Our thoughts and prayers with you all.
Dave and Carol Graham
I had the privilege of knowing Rita for the past year and a half. Though I only knew her for a short time, I know she touched many people through her life, and through her work as an RN. In our conversations, she was exhibited kindness and compassion. She consistently put others’ needs above her own. She is greatly missed.