Rita Dianne Owen Kimble, a lifelong resident of Mobile, Alabama, passed away peacefully at her home August 5th, 2026.

Rita was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her friends called her feisty and fun. Her children just called her Mom. Her father called her his Skeeterbug, and her husband called her Baby or Babydoll.

Born to William Brooks Owen and Myrtle W. Magnusson Owen at Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama, on September 2, 1944.

Rita attended Theodore High School and was employed by South Central Bell for 15 years as an Operator, Service Assistant, and Telephone Repair Dispatcher. Her telephone company career was abruptly cut short at the age of 35 when a fatal and near-fatal auto accident left her paralyzed for life on the right side. Determined to raise her young children, she survived and recovered from her multiple injuries. It took 2 months in the hospital and 2 months of inpatient rehabilitation, as well as an entire year of outpatient rehabilitation, to relearn how to walk and talk and live without the permanent use of her right arm.

Prior to her disabling injuries, Rita loved the outdoors. She loved swimming, boating, and was a talented water skier, whether on two skis or a slalom ski. A tomboy at heart, she liked Dragonflies and Frogs.

She enjoyed accompanying her husband on camping and fishing trips to the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains of N.Y. State, as well as his insurance company-paid trips to the island of O'ahu, HI, the island of Maui, HI, the island of Bermuda, St. Louis, MO, Phoenix, AZ, and Marco Island, FL.

After her children were grown, she kept herself busy working part-time at Target, as well as volunteering her time with the Ladies Auxiliary at Providence Hospital.

Always a warrior, she battled for 41 days before succumbing to pneumonia. She is preceded in death by her first-born son, Harold Leon Andrews Jr.; her daughter, Rita Michelle Kimble; her sister, Sandra Elaine Owen King; and both parents. She is survived by Michael Frank Kimble, Sr., her husband, companion, and caregiver for over 50 years; one son, Michael Frank Kimble, Jr.; one grandson, Michael Frank Kimble III; and one niece, Lisa Gail King Adams of Houston, TX.

Visitation will be at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Mobile Memorial Gardens Chapel.

A stage three breast cancer survivor herself, if you choose, in lieu of flowers, send contributions in her name to the Breast Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.