In Memory of Sister Mary Rita, R.S.M.

Died: August 10, 1968 ~ Funeral services for Sister Mary Rita Davidson of St. Francis Xavier Academy will be held today at 3 p.m. from St. Paul's Catholic Church with Bishop Joseph B. Brunini conducting the service. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery with Fisher Funeral Home in charge. Sister Rita died Saturday after a brief illness. She was 70.

She was born in Biloxi, the former Teresa Davidson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Davidson, Sr. She entered the order of the Sisters of Mercy at the age of 17 and pronounced her vows three years later.

Sister Mary Rita taught in a number of schools in Mississippi, spending the major part of her life in Vicksburg. She was noted for her work in the field of English, Social Studies and Theology and her contributions to the SFXA Library.

Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Olga Staehling of New Orleans and Mrs. John Pisarich of Biloxi.

Active pallbearers will be Cyril O'Neill, Vincent Schaff, C. Home Smith, Lawrence Hennessey, J. W. Evans, Joseph A. Gerache, and Harry Hardin.

Honorary pallbearers will be Sister Mary Ignatius, RSM, Sister Mary Francis, RSM, Sister Mary Isabel, RSM, Sister Mary Claudia, RSM, Sister Mary Adelaide, RMS, Sister Mary Joseph, RSM, Sister Mary Hildergarde, RSM, Sister Mary Angela, RSM, Sister Mary Placide, RSM and Sister Mary Henrietta.

She was a very kind and gentle person. When sister died, for the first time in history, there were Sisters of Mercy as honorary pallbearers because of their love for Sister Mary Rita.

~May They All Rest In Peace~

Picture taken at Cedar Hill Cemetary ~ June 14, 2009