Mrs. Rita Dunham's Obituary
A funeral service for Mrs. Rita Dunham will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home, with Rev. Russell DeLee officiating. Burial will follow in Smyrna Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home.
Mrs. Rita Dunham, lovingly known as Rita, was a generous, kind, and thoughtful woman whose life touched many hearts, and she passed away on May 28, 2026, in Kellyton, Alabama, at the age of 87.
Born on May 22, 1939, in Aplaya Bauan Batangas, Phillipines to Calixto Husania Bacong and Emeteria Capampangan Bacong, Rita carried with her a spirit of grace and quiet strength from the very beginning. She lived a life marked by faith, devotion, and perseverance, and she remained a shining example of what it means to serve others with humility and love. Her journey from her early days to her final years reflected a woman who understood the value of hard work, family, and steadfast belief.
Rita moved to the United States with her husband in 1989, and together they shared 30 years of marriage filled with commitment, companionship, and enduring love. Through the years, she built a life that was rooted in faith and strengthened by the bonds she formed with those around her. She was a Christian and an active member of Kellyton Baptist Church, where her presence and spirit were a blessing to her church family. Her life was a testimony to the power of faith lived out in everyday acts of kindness and dedication.
One of Rita’s great gifts was her talent as a skilled seamstress. She loved to make clothes and wedding gowns, and through her hands she created beauty that others could wear and cherish. Her work was more than a skill, because it was an expression of care, patience, and artistry. She understood that something made with love could become part of someone’s most meaningful memories, and she gave that gift freely through her craft. Her ability to sew was matched by the warmth of her heart, and those who knew her could see that she stitched not only fabric, but also comfort and joy into the lives of others.
Rita will be remembered for the gentle way she moved through life and for the strength she carried with quiet dignity. She was the kind of person who made others feel seen, valued, and cared for. Her generosity was not loud, but it was deeply felt. Her kindness was not occasional, but steady. Her thoughtfulness was not reserved for special moments, but woven into the way she lived each day. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion that will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.
She is survived by her niece, Fortune Mashburn, and numerous nieces and nephews who will carry her memory forward with love and gratitude. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Gerald Cleveland Dunham, whom she loved dearly. Though her earthly journey has ended, the impact of her life remains strong, and the beauty of her example will continue to speak for her.
Rita’s life is a reminder that a meaningful life is not measured by fame or recognition, but by faith, love, service, and the lasting kindness we give to others. She lived with purpose, she loved deeply, and she left this world better than she found it. Her story encourages us all to live with open hands, faithful hearts, and the courage to make beauty wherever we are.
Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Rita Bacong Dunham.
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