February 24, 1950 - February 12, 2025
With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Rita Ibarra Hemphill, 74, on Feb. 12, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa.
Rita was born on Feb. 24, 1950, in La Mula, Municipio de Ojinaga, Chihuahua. At the age of 13, she moved in with her sister Lala and attended Federal Secondary School in Ojinaga. In 1972, she immigrated to the United States, and within eight months, she married Milford Joel Hemphill of Nowata. They shared a life full of love until his passing on January 17, 2011.
Rita was a strong woman until the very end. She loved her family with all her heart and always kept them in her thoughts and prayers. She selflessly put others before herself, praying for the pain and illnesses of her loved ones before considering her own.
Although she did not have children of her own, God had a special plan for her. Through her older sister, Maria de Jesus Nino, and her husband, Caleb Nino Cardona, Rita was blessed with a child to love and raise as her own. From that child, she became a grandmother to two grandchildren, a role that brought great joy to her and Milford. She shared these grandchildren with her sister: Brandon Wade Clark and Summer Rose Clark.
Rita cherished family vacations and time spent with loved ones. She had a deep and abiding faith, loved reading her Bible, and faithfully attended church. She also had a passion for dancing and enjoyed moments of joy and celebration with her friends and family.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Milford Joel Hemphill; her parents, Manuel Ibarra and Soledad Ibarra Aguirre; her granddaughter, Summer Rose Clark; and five siblings: Manuel Ibarra Aguirre, Maria De Jesus Ibarra Nino, Olivia Ibarra Herrera, Jose Ibarra Aguirre, and Marin Ibarra Aguirre.
She is survived by her daughter, Leticia Nino Clark of Bristow; her grandson, Brandon Wade Clark; four siblings: Eulalia Ibarra Enriquez, Daniel Ibarra Aguirre, Elizabeth Ibarra Aguirre, and Civia Ibarra Luna; 37 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and greatnephews.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at American Heritage Funeral Home, with a viewing from 10 a.m. to 2 .m., followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m., officiated by Chris Hagger. Rita will be laid to rest immediately after the service at American Heritage Cemetery.