Rita Marion Underhill, age 71

Rita Marion Underhill, Conway, Arkansas

Rita Underhill was born August 9, 1950 in Memphis, Tennessee and lived in the area for much of her life. Rita passed on July 3, 2022 following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Rita was a woman on the move, never settling on one path in life. She was an educator, a caregiver, and an advocate never afraid to fight for what she felt was right; she loved and cared for her family and friends fiercely. When her brother Max Peace contracted AIDS, Rita began traveling to Mexico to acquire the not-yet legal AZT to help ease his suffering. When he passed, Rita decided to do more and became an advocate for all who suffered the illness and stigma of AIDS in the 1980s and 90s.

She was always ready to take up an adventure, and always told her kids to not do anything she wouldn’t do (which wasn’t a lot!)

Rita graduated from the University of Memphis, where she taught health and wellness. An avid reader throughout her life, Rita read a book a day while completing graduate degrees from the University of Memphis, Christian Brothers University, and Arkansas State University. As well as being an educator, Rita was a school nurse, hospice nurse, and an accomplished beekeeper.

Rita and her husband established Peace Bee Farm in Proctor, Arkansas. Together, they converted their row-crop operation into Peace Bee Farm. Rita is remembered by Richard, her husband of 53 years, and children, Tod (spouse, Christina), Jennifer Epps (spouse, Jerry), Wes (spouse, Amy Sharp), as well as five grandchildren: Ethan Underhill, Erin Underhill, Reagan Epps, Ainsley Epps, and Maxell Epps.

In lieu of flowers, Rita’s favorite charities include:

National Park Foundation, nationalparks.org

Women*s Center at Washington State University, women.wsu.edu

Red Curtain Theatre, Conway, Arkansas, redcurtaintheatre.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service. 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas. 501-982-3400