- Date Of Birth: December 13, 1924
- Date Of Death: August 27, 2018
- State: Ohio
Rita Clare (Pottorf) Hovis of Salem, age 93, passed away peacefully at her home Monday, August 27, 2018. She was born the daughter of Jesse Clair and Zada R. (Whinnery) Pottorf, December 13, 1924, at her parents’ dairy farm on Depot Road in Salem, OH.
She is survived by three children, nine grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, parents, brother, Newell Pottorf, and granddaughter, Jean Marie Hovis.
Through her daughter, Krista (John) Fitch of Salem: Rachael (Dan) Stoner of Cameroon, Yaounde, West Africa; children, Isaac, Lydia, Josiah, and Ethan; Jesse (Rachel) Braswell of Mt. Vernon; Peter (Laurie) Braswell, of Memphis, TN; step-children, Christina (Dan) Shields of Noblesville, IN; Sarah Fitch of Indianapolis, IN; Jim Fitch of Pinehurst, NC; Tom and Laura Fitch of Ludlow Falls and children Madeline and Meredith.
Through her daughter, Janine (Dale) McLaughlin: Sarah (Kevin) Bessanson of Smithfield, VA; children, Caleb and Eve; Dr. Andrew (Sandy) McLaughlin of Jacksonville, NC; children, Julie, James and Josiah; Lisa (Akili) Steward of Pasadena, CA; and son, Apollo; Patrick McLaughlin of Bethesda, MD.
Through her son, Robert (Melody) Hovis; Jim Hovis of Winchester, KY; Jennifer (Marcus) Rosth of Hudiksvall, Sweden; children, Carl and Emelie.
She attended Highland School through 8th grade and graduated valedictorian of her class at Salem High School in 1942, then from The Ohio State University four years later. She was employed as a “Betty Newton” (home economics consultant and cooking instructor) by The Ohio Edison and Gas Companies. She married Jack Hovis May 26, 1950.
Rita served the Presbyterian Church teaching Sunday School, VBS, Youth Clubs, and as officer on many committees and the Presbytery. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi sorority, Christian Women’s Club, Square Wheels Dance Club, Sevakeen Country Club and various bridge clubs. She enjoyed traveling throughout the USA with her family, and in recent years especially Maine.
First Presbyterian Church Saturday, September 01, 2018 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 436 East 2nd Street
Salem, OH 44460 Directions
First Presbyterian Church Saturday, September 01, 2018 11:00 AM 436 East 2nd Street
Salem, OH 44460 Directions
