Rita Carol Dale was born on November 13, 1962 in Crossville, Tennessee to Jerry and Georgia Dale and passed away on April 8, 2018 at the age of 55 at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. As a child Rita was raised on Central Street where she enjoyed playing football and all things outdoors with neighborhood friends. She went on to obtain her motorcycle license at a young age and loved to ride around the area to visit friends and family. She was always an outgoing adventurous person who loved trying new things and meeting new people. As a young adult she went out with her Father to work on a seismograph crew where she was able to travel and see the country.
One of Rita’s proudest moments was the birth of her daughters Sarah and Jennifer and went on to be expanded with her marriage to Husband, Jeff Kilburn, and her six new children Erich, Ricky, Brandon, Josh, Jason, and Megan Kilburn. With a family of this size Rita was a full-time Mom ensuring her children were happy and healthy throughout their childhood years. Her world revolved around her children and family and it became once again brightened with the addition of her seventeen grand-children and her new name that came to be what everyone knew her by, Granny. This family was where she drew her happiness and joy and was also where she would go on to draw her support.
Shortly after raising her children Rita found herself in need of an organ donation. Rita’s lungs were failing her. Her family and herself could not accept this news. She was a rock to many. After more than two long years of trying, Rita was listed on the transplant list for double lungs. 21 days later the call came, her new lungs were ready. Two days later she took her first breath. God took a tragedy with the loss of her donor and gave her a longer life. With this gift Rita was able to have a better quality of life. She spent many days doing things with her grandchildren she was unable to do prior to her transplant. She became an organ donation advocate encouraging all she knew to give the gift of life. In death Rita herself was a donor, ensuring others would have a better quality of life.
She is survived by Father Jerry Dale, Brother Paul Dale, Husband Jeff Kilburn, children Sarah (Steven) Rary, Jennifer (Ben) Stovall, Ricky, Brandon, Josh (Pamela), Jason, & Megan Kilburn, and 17 grandchildren. She is preceded in death by Mother Georgia Dale, Daughter Stephanie Ann Keck, Son Erich Kilburn, and Daughter-in-law Stephanie Kilburn.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at Memorial Baptist Church. Funeral Services will be held at 11 am Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the church.
The family requests all flowers be sent to Crossville Memorial Funeral Home.