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11 Comments

  1. Mary Rowan Schwartz
    October 20, 2022 @ 11:48 am

    Lots of fun evenings at the Fugate house! Rita and Royce always taking an interest in all of Charles’s friends and rolling out the snacks! Will always remember Rita’s wonderful sense of humor and warmth! Prayers and love to Charles and Joseph.

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  2. Bertie Judd
    October 20, 2022 @ 2:06 pm

    Rita was a great friend and classmate. So Sorry to hear of her passing. She will be remembered as a special friend. Thinking about the family at this time.
    Bertie and Larry Judd

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  3. Amber(Cozort)Redburn
    October 20, 2022 @ 6:41 pm

    The Fugate and Gilliam Families,

    Our Deepest Sympathy to all of you on the passing of Rita. Prayers for all of you during this difficult time with the loss of her and Mick in a week’s time. Rita was a wonderful person. May God comfort, encourage, support, and give each of you peace. May God bless all of you.
    In Christian Love,
    Norris/Ivene Cozort
    Tim, Amber(Cozort), and Corby Redburn

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  4. Trish Knight
    October 21, 2022 @ 7:31 am

    Rita was a gem and a wonderful woman. She was a good friend, excellent teacher, and mother. She holds a special place in my heart and I will always cherish those memories. My sympathies to Charles & her family.

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  5. Pam Hopkins
    October 21, 2022 @ 8:13 am

    Mrs. Fugate was a wonderful math teacher! She taught at Jefferson City High School when I attended in the early 1980s. Besides her excellent teaching skills, I remember her very specific rule on tardiness–if you weren’t in your seat when the bell began to ring (not when it finished ringing!), you were tardy. I learned a great deal from her, and she is one of the teachers I remember most. My sincere condolences to her family and friends on your loss. Pam (Tinder) Hopkins

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  6. Roger & Linda Samson
    October 21, 2022 @ 3:00 pm

    Sending our condolences to Charles, your mother was a wonderful person & had many special memories during our time during your high school years & friendship with the wonderful group of friends Randy enjoyed at your house. May God give you comfort knowing how much she was loved as a teacher, friend to all who knew her. God Bless.

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  7. Ed & Joyce Messerly
    October 21, 2022 @ 8:49 pm

    We were truly saddened to hear that Rita died. She was a very special lady and friend, and will truly be missed. Charles your parents were wonderful, and they loved you. God bless all of you always.
    ?? Ed and Joyce Messerly

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  8. Yvonne Chastonay Boyd
    October 22, 2022 @ 9:43 pm

    My sincerest condolences to you, Charles and to your family. She must have been a wonderful person to have raised such a great son and person. Prayers for peace for you.

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  9. Pauline Eggers
    October 23, 2022 @ 3:28 pm

    Charles, I just wanted to say that I admired your mother tremendously. I was a math teacher at JCHS while she was there and she allowed me to sit in on her Math Analysis class and also her Calculus Class. I learned so much about teaching those subjects from her. She was a truly great teacher who was willing to share her expertise. I took over the teaching of the calculus classes after she left Jefferson City and thought of her often. So sorry for your loss.

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  10. Mary Pendergrass, D.O.
    October 23, 2022 @ 7:29 pm

    To the Fugate and Gilliam families:
    Our deepest sympathies to you, along with prayers for comfort.
    Rita made all the difference for me during my senior year of high school when she taught me College Algebra at MSU-WP. What an incredible and caring educator she was during her time here.
    Warmest regards to you all.

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  11. Heather Kamps
    October 24, 2022 @ 12:12 pm

    My heart goes out to all in the Fugate and Gilliam families. Royce and Rita played such an important role in my life as I transitioned to life in West Plains in 2000. Neighbors, friends, mentors – they both welcomed me and took me under their wings. They will forever have a special place in my life and their wisdom, genuine hospitality, and grace will live on in the hearts of those they touched. Much love.

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