Mrs. Rita Ann Dickerson

Rita Ann Dickerson passed away at the age of 62 on May 11, 2012, as the result of an auto accident near her home south of Corydon, Iowa.
Rita was born August 26, 1949 in Glencoe, Oklahoma to Erick August Reim and Justa Marie Hays Reim. She joined siblings Doris Jean Key, Leon Edward Reim, Raymond Erick "Pete" Reim, Janice Marie Ellis, and Roy Dean Reim, and helped all welcome her younger brother, Gary Wayne Reim.
Rita's family moved from Oklahoma to Galt, Missouri in 1954. She attended school at Galt R-V School District, and graduated in 1967. During her school years, Rita was active in basketball and extracurricular activities. She was president of both the National Honor Society and Future Homemakers of America. Rita was married shortly after high school, and Shane and Justin Bankus were born to the marriage.
In 1977, Rita married Jim Dickerson and joined him on the farm south of Corydon. Jim's kids, Token and Dusti, were instantly blessed with the best stepmother they could have asked for. Rita had a very special place in her heart for children. So great was her love for children that, after their older children were grown, Rita and Jim adopted Heather, Rodney, and Kia.
Rita was a true country girl. Together, she and Jim shared a love of land and livestock, and the beauty of nature. Rita especially enjoyed her chickens and the fresh eggs they provided, and the reward of fresh fruit and vegetables from her garden. Her never-ending thirst for knowledge made Rita an ideal role model and teacher for Kia during her homeschooling years. Rita also enjoyed cooking, reading, and playing the piano, but her greatest pleasure was spending time with her grandchildren. Rita loved to teach the children about the fun and adventure of life on the farm. Every grandchild was precious to Rita, and they adored her. Rita had a remarkable inner and outer beauty that touched the lives of everyone who knew her.
Rita earned her real estate license in 1992 and began selling real estate for Kent Farm Management & Real Estate in Chariton, Iowa. She was a member of the Prairie Flower neighborhood club and SIBS Sorority. Rita's steadfast faith was demonstrated in how she treated others and how she lived her life. She was a member of the Allerton Methodist Church and faithfully attended both it and the Sewal Church.
Rita is survived by her husband, Jim Dickerson, children, Token (Tammie) Dickerson, Louisburg, KS, Dusti (Daren) Relph, Corydon, Justin (Natalie) Bankus, Gladstone, MO, Heather Dickerson, Centerville, IA, Rodney Dickerson, Enid, OK, and Kia Dickerson at home, daughter-in-law Rhonda Bankus, grandchildren Trish Anne Dickerson, Teela (Tyler) Becker, Trevor DeVore, Winston Relph, Raquel Relph, Brooke Bankus, Cooper Bankus, and Conner Bankus, great-granddaughter Elizabeth DeVore Shipley, siblings Doris (James) Key, Pete (Janelle) Reim, Janice Ellis, Roy (De Etta) Reim, and Gary Reim, and in-laws Max (Carolyn) Dickerson, and Mary Sue (Kenny) Demerath, and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, son Shane Bankus, infant daughter Rhonda Lynn Bankus, siblings Lloyd Lee Reim, Donna Mae Reim, John Leonard Reim, and Leon Edward Reim, sister-in-law Annaliese Reim, brother-in-law James Ellis, and nephew Joe Bryan Reim.
Memorials have been designated for a college fund for Kia Dickerson.