Rita Lee Rayburn

Rita Lee Rayburn of Peculiar, Missouri, was born on January 27, 1943. Daughter of the late Forrest Briscoe of Foster, Missouri and Ethelyn (Potter) Briscoe of Sprague, Missouri. Rita was the youngest of four girls, and she cherished her three older sisters, Velma, Mary Kathryn, and Betty Jean. Rita departed this life peacefully on May 1st, 2026.

Rita leaves behind sons Robert Rayburn and Curtis Rayburn (Cheryl); grandsons Matthew McCormick (Brittney), Joseph McCormick, Nicholas Roberson, Jr. (Courtney), Aaron Rayburn (Sarah), Matthew Rayburn (Sirel), and Trevor Rayburn; granddaughters Savannah Roberson, Katie Rayburn (Gabi), and Shelby Rayburn. She adored her 27 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and friends.

Rita attended Southeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Later in life she moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri where she met her husband, Tom E. Rayburn. They spent 47 beautiful years together where they blended their families into a family of 6: 1 daughter, Kimberly, and 3 sons, Robert, Nicholas, and Curtis. Rita was a lifelong member of Unity Village, where she was baptized and later married. She also taught at the Unity Village school for the youth. She later retired from Girl Scouts of Mid-Continent Council, where she served as a bookkeeper; it was one of the most passionate times of her life. As early retirees, Rita and her husband Tom purchased and operated the travel business Travel Land Tours, taking customers on trips to tour casinos.

She enjoyed spending her time with family and feeding them, traveling, lapidary, her cat, and so much more. Most of all she enjoyed her time with her husband. Their love was something to admire.

Rita was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Cameo Society. Rita adored being a part of these organizations and passing down her knowledge to her children and grandchildren. For all of her strength, wit, and grit, her greatest power was her tenderness. She had a softness about her and a way of making you feel cared for and loved. Her heart seemed to have room for everyone. She will be dearly missed, and her memory will live on through the love of her family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Tom E. Rayburn; sisters Velma Matheson, Mary Kathryn Wilson, and Betty Jean Wisniewski; daughter Kimberly Davis; son Nicholas Roberson, Sr.; and grandson Corey McCormick.