Rita Turnipseed

Rita Turnipseed, 75, of Lubbock passed away Wednesday, January 5, 2011 after a lengthy illness. She was born on May 10, 1935 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Celestino & Margaret Duran.

Rita was 17 years old when she met future husband, J. T. who was stationed at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque. They were married on February 1, 1953 in Albuquerque. Over the following years, they had four children.

Rita’s married life was quite unusual being married to a serviceman. His duty assignments required them to move to another base every four or five years. This was hard on Rita to move often and being away from her family and friends. She had to work hard raising a family and taking care of a lot of the family chores, since J. T. had to put in long hours at his job.

Her survivors include four children, James Turnipseed and wife Suzanne of New Jersey, Michael Turnipseed of New York, Margaret Turnipseed of Lubbock and Andrew Turnipseed and wife Cyndi of Lubbock; two brothers, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sal Duran and Ben Duran; and a sister, Crucitia Wright; six grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

The family will receive friends at Sanders Funeral Home on Friday, January 7, 2011 from 6-7:00 p.m. A Rosary will follow in Sanders Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 10 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital or a favorite charity.