Mary ‘Rita’ Baxendale Graves, age 88, passed away on September 11, 2023 in Rockville, Maryland. Rita was born on February 27, 1935, in Salina, Kansas to Gilbert Emerson and Margaret Malloy Baxendale.
She was preceded in death by her sister Bernadine, infant daughter Mary Katherine, her beloved parents, her older brother James, her twin brother, Robert, and her husband of 53 years, Donald Graves. She is survived by her children, Thomas Graves and Donna Heck, son in law, Fred, and daughter in law, Louann, along with three grandchildren, Philip, Caroline (Keith), and Mitchell (Giulia), and several nieces and nephews.
Rita grew up in Salina, Kansas, and attended Marymount College. She met her future husband in Salina, where he was stationed at the local Air Force Base. They married, eventually settling in Amarillo, Texas, where they raised their family. Together, they started their own business, Grain Marketers, Inc. Rita was integral to their success. They eventually sold their company and retired to HideAway Lake, outside of Tyler, Texas, where they enjoyed entertaining at their lake house, golfing, and traveling. When they became grandparents, they moved closer to the Houston area, settling in Kingwood, Texas.
Rita loved to travel, read, work crossword puzzles, shop, and collect antiques. She was an excellent cook; her enchiladas were requested often by family and friends. She was also a compassionate animal lover. There was rarely a time in her life that she did not have a dog by her side. Another passion in her life was golf. She won many tournaments and achieved a hole in one!
Rita will be remembered by all who knew and loved her for her incredible strength and generous philanthropy. From the time of her birth (smallest twin), to surviving Hurricane Harvey, and enduring the aging process, Rita was a fighter, but she never lost her sense of humor. Our family is forever grateful for the excellent care mom received from her nurse, caregiver, and friend Leona.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity, or the ASPCA.