Rita Bernard, 81, of Caruthersville, MO, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at her residence.

She was born on August 12, 1935 in Marks, MS, to the late George A. Cox and the late Evelyn Ogle Cox. Rita was a homemaker and a member of Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Ladies Bridge Club and was also a member of the Caruthersville Golf Association, where she loved to play. Rita loved to read, fish, take boat rides and travel. She also loved to take her grandchildren to the Country Club to see the ducks on the pond.

Funeral services for Mrs. Bernard will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jerry Mattson officiating. Entombment will follow in Little Prairie Cemetery in Caruthersville, MO. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

The family will receive visitors from 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. James Walter Bernard of Caruthersville, MO; three sons, Dr. Walter David Bernard and wife, Kris, of Dorena, OR, Michael Stewart Bernard and wife, Gina, of Caruthersville, MO and John Gantar Bernard and wife, Danelle, of Loveland, OH; two sisters, Lynn Scruggs of Coldwater, MS and Sabra Whitener of Cascade, VA; and seven grandchildren, Kevann Bernard, Michael Henson and husband, Ethan, Jenna Bernard, James Walter Bernard II, Chloe Bernard, Ellen Bernard and Shelia Bernard.

Pallbearers will be James Bernard II, Ethan Henson, Barry Gilmore, Walter Bernard, Mike Bernard and John Bernard.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church, the Caruthersville Public Library or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.