Rita Lee Watts

Rita Lee Watts was born on August 4, 1951, in Memphis, TN, to Patricia and Travis Biffle. She graduated Whitehaven High School in 1969 and subsequently obtained a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Memphis. Rita passed away on Friday, May 13, 2022, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, TN with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Patricia and Travis Biffle, husband Randy, and sister Carol. Rita is survived by her daughter, Tricia Parker (Keith), brothers Wayne Neuhart and David Biffle (Sheila), bonus daughter Britina Looney (Anthony), and bonus son Steven Hall (John). Rita was a phenomenal teacher who was dedicated to her students’ academic success, in addition to ensuring they felt safe and loved in her care. Memphis City Schools benefited from her extraordinary skills and devotion to her students for 33 years. Outside of her career, Rita enjoyed knitting, socializing, creating, and appreciating art, collecting elephants, reading, and her fur babies (especially Gracie). Her most rewarding role in life was being a mother to her only child, Tricia. Rita was kind, friendly, intelligent, generous, and had a childlike sense of humor with an infectious laugh. She will be remembered fondly due to her everlasting impact on all those who knew and loved her. Cremation services are under the direction of Covington Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers or plants, the family would like donations to be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 684, located at 3709 E. Raines Rd, Memphis, TN 38118. To make these donations, please contact the Post Commander, Michael Rhew at (901) 338-1580.