Rita Lynn Ellis Kent

Rita Lynn Ellis Kent, age 61 of Calhoun. Died Tuesday December 14th in the VistaCare Hospice of Emory Hospital in Atlanta. The early years found her frolicking through the cotton fields of her father’s farm, curly blonde hair bouncing about her smiling face. The impish grin - the same one that would signal in later years she knew something you did not - already brought contrast to those lively eyes. She was Rita Lynn, daughter of Benson and Jean Lister Ellis, sandwiched by birth between Kara Gilbert and Janet Ellis. It was a perfect placement where she could taunt the older and intimidate the younger. And in the doing she honed her people skills, skills that equipped her to listen, to empathize, to care and to assist so many in her adult life. Those skills were developed even more as she became a mentor, guide, and friend to her half-sisters Jill Brown and Pam Ellis. Maybe it was her determined advocacy for her deaf son Christopher Culberson that not only sent him on his way to graduation from Gallaudet University as a historian that defined the delightful determination that characterized her approach to life. It was a determination tempered by an overflowing love for God and God's children. That determination was accented by a bottomless love so evident in her nurturing of her little girl Julie, who has grown into a mature woman of accomplishment and poise. Could either of them ever have survived not talking to each other multiple times a day? They were the best of friends. Such love and such nurturing in maturity must find a new focus. It was found in Zachary and Sara, her grandchildren. Now dreams for the future were rekindled, a future where Zach and Sarah would be independent, accomplished, resourceful and dependable. For them she possessed a zeal to steer them on, and, indeed, some of her last acts were to prepare them for what comes. In her maturity she married the man who had married her. Yes. You see he was the minister for an earlier marriage Rev. Guy Kent. She jumped into the role of the pastor's wife with the same relish and determination with which she approached all of life. In no time at all, her radiant smile and love for others began to be work its way into birthday parties at nursing homes, in efforts to support missionaries, and numerous acts of Christian ministry. The crowning glory of her love of Christ came the day she began the Soup Supper Monday's at Farmville United Methodist Church. It was a ministry that invited the homeless and poverty stricken, those who were victims of the recession and those who were still affluent to sit down together over a bowl of soup and cornbread and enjoy fellowship with each other. Her last act at The Farmville Church was to prepare the fixings for the soup supper. She had a plan. It was for her husband and her to spend their retirement years in travel and adventure. It was not to be. On December 14th, after suffering a massive stroke during surgery to repair a defect in her giving heart, Rita Lynn Ellis Kent passed from this life with her husband, her children, her sisters and her friends by her bedside. Saint Peter just called out to all the saints of heaven: “Soup's on!” In addition to those whose life she touched above, she is survived by three step children, Christa Kasha, Matt Kent, and Scott Kent, six nieces and nephews, Kathy Jarrett, Elaine Howe, Patrick Castro, Seth King, Ryan Brown, and Katie Dohrmann, five great nieces, Kayla Jarrett, Kelsey Jarett, Emma and Conner Howe and Jack Castro; nine step-grandchildren, Ansley, Faith and Kylee Kasha, Alma and Alisher Kent, and Owen and Sam Kent, and Taylor and Ashlyn Bates. Memorial service will conducted Saturday December 18th at 2pm from the Farmville United Methodist Church. With Dr. Gary DeMore, Dr. Phillip Demore and Dr. Mike Cavin officiating. The Georgia State Patrol SCRT Team-1 as well as other State Patrol Troopers and Representatives will serve as Honorary Escorts. The family has ask that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Farmville UMC for Lynn's Soup Kitchen either at the church or by sending your donation to Farmville UMC, 6906 Fairmount Hwy, Calhoun, Georgia 30701 You may send a sympathy card or condolences to the family at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Rita Lynn Ellis Kent