Rita Grace Simmons Shirley

Rita Grace Simmons Shirley

Rita Shirley passed away July 7, 2026, in DeRidder, Louisiana. She was born on June 10, 1937, to Bertrand and Gladys Simmons in Alexandria, Louisiana. She lived in Siloam Springs, Arkansas as a child and moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma where she finished high school. She attended Louisiana College where she met her husband, Robert Joe Shirley. They married on March 30, 1956, and over the course of their 55-year marriage they lived primarily in DeRidder, with short time in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Rita is a member of First Baptist Church DeRidder where she had been previously active as a greeter and a Sunday School teacher.

Rita is survived by her son, Brian Joe Shirley (Kathryn) of DeRidder, Louisiana and daughter, Melinda S. Pekol (Greg) of Parker, Colorado; grandchildren, Brittany Shirley of DeRidder, Louisiana; Samantha Gordy (Michael) of Gallatin, Tennessee; Brooke Miller (Dylan) of Lafayette, Louisiana; and Jacob Pekol of Parker, Colorado; sister-in-law, Paula Shirley; brother-in-law and wife, Jerry and Melinda Shirley; and several great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Joe Shirley, daughter, Melanie Marcello, grandson, Reid Hanchey, parents, Bertrand and Gladys Simmons, and brother, Bert Simmons.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church of DeRidder followed by a funeral service at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 10, 2026. Brother Steve Thomas and Pastor George Lee Glass will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Beauregard Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jacob Pekol, Ronnie Young, David Brown, Terry Shirley, Allen T. “Buster” Whittington, Breck Graves.

If desired, please send memorials to First Baptist Church DeRidder, Louisiana.