Rita Daugherty Ferrell

Known to many as Nana, Rita Daugherty Ferrell came to rest in her home in Fayetteville on Nov. 5, 2012, surrounded by children and grandchildren, at the age of 98. She lived a full life grounded in her strong Catholic faith, surrounded by a large, loving family in a house regularly filled with laughter. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1914, Rita lived through the Great Depression, and thus thrived living a thrifty life. She met her husband, Bill "Groundhog" Ferrell, in 1936 while working at Gimball's Department Store in New York City. The couple married and returned to Philadelphia where they had their first seven children, Judy, Eddie, Rita, Billy, Rachael, Bobby and Richard. Bill's career as athletic trainer led the family to Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas in 1950. Rita and Bill completed their family with the births of Ann, Virginia, Joe and Carol "Dubie," bringing the family total to 11 children, all of whom graduated from St. Joseph's Catholic School and Fayetteville High School. In September 1967, Bill lost a long battle with leukemia. A widow with four children still at home, Rita went to work at Campbell Bell on the Fayetteville Square and eventually managed the children's department at The Boston Store in the Fayetteville Mall. In all her years, Rita never had a drivers' license and could be seen walking almost everywhere. A member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for 62 years, Rita attended mass every Sunday up until a week before her death. Rita was preceded in eternal life by her husband, Bill; and children, Judy Ferrell Mauldin Gilbeault in 1980 and Eddie Ferrell in 1998. She is survived by her children, Billy Ferrell of Austin, Texas, Rita Ferrell Keever of Indianapolis, Ind., Rachael Ferrell McGrew of Little Rock, Bobby Ferrell, Ann Ferrell Wilson, Richard Ferrell, Virginia Ferrell Russell, Joe Ferrell and Carol "Dubie" Ferrell Duerr, all of Fayetteville; seven daughters and sons-in-law; 23 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at Moore's Chapel with rosary service following at 6 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1722 N. Starr Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Special thanks to caregivers, Sharon Dykes, Kay Cantrell and Carmen Turner. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ferrell Scholarship Fund, St. Joseph School Endowment Fund, 1722 N. Starr Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72701. We love you, Nana, and will miss you. May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.