On Dec. 15, 2016 our hearts were saddened by the loss of our beloved, Mrs. Rita Mabry Epps of Petersburg, VA. Rita was born on May 29, 1953 in Petersburg, VA to the late Ellen Boisseau Terry and Leroy Alexander Mabry. Rita was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Leroy Alexander Terry and Wayne Sample; three sisters, Ernestine Crenshaw, Mary Edwards and Barbara Sample, and father-in-law, Willie Goolsby, Jr. Rita was a graduate of the first integrated, Class of 1971 from Petersburg High School in Petersburg, VA. She also served as the current Co-President for the Class of 1971. Rita retired after 32 years of service from Southside Virginia Training Center in 2013. She was self-employed as a realtor with Blackstone Realty. After retiring she continued her service of helping others and was employed as the daycare provider of her grandson "DJ" since he was three weeks old.Rita was a fun, outgoing, and a sincere person who loved to live. She was always willing to go out her way to help others. Rita was a world traveler and loved her family vacations. Her encouraging words were always used to empower and lift others up. One of her hobbies included creating personalized greeting cards for her friends and family. Many memories of her family and friends were captured by her photography.Rita was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Prince George, VA where she served on several auxiliaries of the church such as the Beautification Committee, Pastors Aide, Finance Committee, Women's Ministry, and Seniors Ministry. She was also a Girl Scout troop leader at Zion Baptist Church Troop #3310. Rita Epps is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 30 years, Herman E. Epps; two daughters, LaTonya Hayes of Petersburg, VA, and Dr. Shandra Claiborne-Payton (Donald) of Chesterfield, VA; her only son, William Hayes (Tabitha) of Chesterfield, VA; eight grandchildren, Kajuan Hayes, Jaida Hayes, Kaliyah Hayes, Kamron Hayes, D'Imani Payton, Dallus Payton, Adonis Payton, and Donald Payton Jr. (DJ); one godson, Javon Brown of Petersburg, VA; four sisters, Earline Balthrop of Macon, GA, Gloria Claiborne of Ettrick, VA, Regina Reid of Petersburg, VA, and Frances Sloan of Petersburg, VA; four brothers, Clarence Terry (Cheryl) of Los Angeles, CA, Leroy Sample (Sharon) of Hopewell, VA, Carl Reid, Ernest Jones, and Emmett Terry all of Petersburg, VA; mother-in-law, Mary Goolsby; three sisters-in-law, Patricia James, Carolyn Wrice (Harold), Pamela Pearson, (Warrick); one brother-in-law, Willie Goolsby (Tammy) all of Macon, GA; two aunts Catherine Brackett of Petersburg, VA, and Beatrice Balthrop of Washington, DC; one uncle, Johnnie Boisseau of Hartford, CT; four devoted nieces, Eva Jackson, Paula Wilson-Johnson, Latasha Balthrop and Shanneka Claiborne; three devoted friends, Treska Wilson-Smith, Ruth Maclin, and Ethel Edmonds, and a host of other relatives and friends.Services for Mrs. Rita M. Epps will be held 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 4405 Prince George Drive, Prince George, Va., the Rev. F. Lamont Gooding, Pastor and Rev. Rena Dial, eulogist. Interment to follow at Southlawn Memorial Park.The family will assemble at noon the day of the service and receive friends at 1141 W. Washington Street, Petersburg, Va.Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Epps at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.