Rita Simpson Elrod was born on August 1, 1943 at Brinkley, Arkansas the daughter of Joe B. Miley and Jessie Miley and passed away on July 21, 2015 at Farmington, Missouri at the age of 71 years. She was preceded in death by her first husband James Simpson and then Don U. Elrod whom she was united in marriage to on June 9, 1984 at Farmington. She is survived by one son James Simpson of Fredericktown, one daughter Jennifer Thornton and fiancé Chris Stills of Cassville, Missouri, one brother Robert Miley of Palestine, Arkansas, and three grandchildren Olivia Simpson and Abigail Simpson both of Park Hills and Jason Simpson of Fredericktown. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.