Rita Boyett Johnson

Rita Boyett Johnson, 83, of Waco, passed away Monday, March 7, 2022. Services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at Crestview Church of Christ, with Scott Talley and Dr. Jim Martin officiating. The family will receive visitors at the church beginning at 12 p.m. Saturday. Rita was born on August 9, 1938 in Prairie Hill, Texas, to Ennis and Maudice Boyett. As the only girl in a family of boys, she learned to fend for herself growing up on a farm and roughhousing with her brothers. The family moved to Waco when she was a teenager, and Rita graduated from Waco High School in 1956. That same year, she married the love of her life, Clifford Johnson, a dashing young Airman stationed at James Connally Air Force Base, who had swept her off her feet, and who was equally smitten by Rita. They met while driving up and down Austin Avenue; she was no doubt impressed with his 1954 Mercury. Clifford always claimed that when Rita told him she was a senior, he thought she meant at Baylor, not Waco High. Clifford and Rita traveled around the country during his 23-year Air Force career, raising their three sons Dennis, Keith and Russell. Their assignments included stays in Washington, D.C., California, Washington state and Alaska. Rita occasionally was a single mom to her three young boys during Clifford’s overseas assignments. The family settled in Waco in 1973 after Clifford retired from the Air Force. Rita then began her career that spanned four decades and five pulpit ministers as secretary at Crestview Church of Christ, a place and a family she loved deeply. She was known for her beautiful soprano voice and used it to bless many families at weddings, funerals and other occasions. Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Clifford; by her parents Ennis and Maudice Boyett; and by her brothers Gary Boyett and Alton Boyett. Mom is survived by her sons Dennis and wife Linda, Keith and wife Jeanie, and Russell and wife Kristi. Grandma is survived by her adoring grandchildren Austin and wife Jodien, Jennifer and husband Brian, Amanda and husband Seth, Drew and wife Hillary, Tyler and wife Katie, Cliff and Jake. GiGi is survived by her beloved great-grandchildren Eli, Emilia, Olivia, Millie, Isaac, Isaiah, Israel and Nash. Rita is also survived by brothers Doyce Boyett and Melton Boyett, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends. Rita’s grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Don Hardwick and Dr. Christopher Grant. Rita’s family would like to thank Dr. Grant for his care of Rita over the years and the staff at Providence Hospice Place for their compassionate care during her final days. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Community Care Food Pantry, Crestview Church of Christ, Waco, Texas 76712, or the memorial of the donor’s choice.