Rita Mae Vest Wiley

Rita Mae (Vest) Wiley, of Groesbeck, passed away at Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest Hospital from Covid pneumonia on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at age 57. 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 14,2021, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Groesbeck Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Jason Ellis of the Mexia First Assembly officiating.  Burial will follow in Faulkenberry Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Will Dutton, Jeff Vest, Jr., Spencer Wilson, Chris Wehmeyer, Dustin Estes, Logan Wehmeyer, Stetson Vest and Mika Morgan.

Rita was born February 13, 1964, to Bruce and Lela Mae Vest in Groesbeck.   She graduated from Groesbeck High School in the Class of 1982.

All Rita ever wanted to do was take care of people and make sure they were happy and comfortable.  Vivacious - she was always the life of the party, and her laugh was contagious.  Even if you didn’t know what she was laughing at, it made you want to find out.   Brave - she was so strong, every trial she went through in life she persevered.  She was a recovering addict.   She had an addiction almost all of her children’s life, and the family felt at times there was no hope.   But finally, about 5 years ago she became completely clean.   She worked so hard to get to that point and showed great strength in winning her battle with addiction.  Her children were so proud of her.   Rita was a devoted Christian and prayed every day of her life.

Rita loved animals, especially her dog Nolan.   She worked for years as a vet tech.  She loved shopping trips and cooking with her daughter.   She could make a meal out of absolutely anything and one of her favorite meals to cook was chicken-fried steak for her son.  She loved to spend time with her family.   Whether that was doing crafts with her grandkids or hanging out with her brothers and sisters-in-law, family is what she loved most.   Being a “Nonnie” was her greatest joy.   The last 5 years of her life was completely devoted to her 4 grandchildren.   She strived every day to be a better person so that she could give them the world.  

The family hopes people will remember Rita for the spontaneous, fun, loving person she was and what an amazing mother and grandmother she was.     She would have wanted to say: “you all better take care of my kids and grandkids and let them know every opportunity you get, how much I loved them.”   Rita fought her final battle with Covid during the past three weeks, with her daughter Kristen going to the hospital to be with her every day.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her maternal grandmother with whom she was close, Clara Daniels; and her stepfather, Thomas Franklin. 

She is survived by her son, Scott Wiley of Thornton; her daughter, Kristen Wiley of Groesbeck; grandchildren, Ella Bosco, James Campbell, Kaira Hargrove and Lyric Hargrove, all of Groesbeck; the father of her children who continued to remain her friend, Wade Wiley of Groesbeck; and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Jimmy and Rosemary Vest of Groesbeck, Chuck and Barbara Vest of Anson, and Jeffrey and Liz Vest of Mexia; and numerous nieces and nephews and close friends.