Page 103 - The Scepter - Spring-Summer 2018_ Area Conferences Edition

Top Ladies of Distinction Remembers…

Lady Rita Swink was July 9, 1950 in Tyler and was a lifetime resi-

dent of Smith County. She attended Tyler Public Schools, entering first with T.J.

Austin, from there to Mammie G. Griffin, on to M.W. Dogan Jr. High and graduat-
ing from Emmett J. Scott High School in 1968.

She attended Texas College graduating in 1971, with a B.S. Degree in Business Ed-
ucation.and earned her Masters from University of Texas-Tyler, Texas. She was a
member of Starrville CME Church, a retired educator after 31 years of service with
the Tyler Independent School District, tutored children at Essence of Beauty, a
member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a member of Top Ladies of Distinc-
tion, Inc., a past member of Alagarade Civic and Social Club, and a member of the
Texas Education Association (TEA) and National Education Association (NEA).

Lady Rita was the secretary of W.A. Peete Elementary under the principalship of
Elmer Wynn and later taught education at A.T. Stewart Jr. High under Mr. Sydney
Lee. She was voted a runner-up to the TISD Secondary Teacher of the Year. This followed her through to her
tenure under Principal Harold Wright and Dr. Sharon Ross (Stewart) Stewart-Edison becoming a National Learn-
ing Environment Trainer for Stewart-Edison, and an Assistant Principal.

Lady Rita was preceded in death by her father, Rev. John E. Franklin. Survivors include her husband: David
Swink, who was the love of her life; mother: Leora Franklin; son: David Swink, III; daughter: Jessica (Josh)
Shrock, and 2 sisters: Velora F. (Jimmie) Douglas and Elsie (Roger) Evans, niece Devinne Douglas, nephew Jim-
mie D. Douglas and her two great nieces Jorean Douglas and Drew Holman.