Rita Anne Frederick

Rita was born the fourth child of four. She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Ivy Pousson and Gladys Anita (Billy) Walsh and her brother, David Arisitide Arceneaux. 

She is survived by 6 children, Lawrence “Fred” Frederick, Rita Kathleen Frederick Lynch, Paul David Frederick, Imelda Anne Frederick Gulley, John Wilson Frederick and Theresa Gay Frederick Sherley. She is also survived by 17 grand-children, 26 great-grand-children, and 4 great-great-grand-children.

Rita dedicated her life to Jesus Christ at a very early age, living right across the street from Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Sulphur, LA, she was at Mass daily starting at birth.  She shared stories as a young child crawling, and playing on the floors in Church while her Mother cleaned and cared for the altar. She said she could not remember a time that her and her Mom missed daily Mass.

She led a charmed young life and had plans to go to the convent after high school. But at the age 16, her Mother died, and Rita chose to change her plans for her future and stayed home to care for her Dad.

Rita lived a life time of awards, achievements and accolades. At 4 years old she was elected May Pole Dancer for the City Festival, at 12 she was Miss America in the May Festival for Sulphur. All 3 years of High School she was elected “Most Popular Student” at Sulphur High which was quoted, “based upon her happiness, sincerity, and a genuine willingness to render service, no Student has more friends than Rita Anne.” She was president of Music Makers, president of the Victory Maids and member of the TORNADO staff.

When Rita was a senior, she won “Best lead actress in the State of Louisiana” and won a scholarship to LSU. But with the death of her Mother and her meeting a very handsome young man named Wilson Joseph Frederick, LSU was off the table.

Rita and Wilson dated and married June 15, 1946 when Wilson returned from World War II. Her Dad remarried Velma Arceneaux and they had two children, Beth and Tim Arceneaux.

Rita and Wilson moved to Nederland, TX right after their marriage and in 1949, together with best friends, Dot & Anthony Concienne, bought their first home at 2004 Franklin, Nederland, TX, which became home for 60 years.

Rita and Wilson were very active members of St. Charles Church for over 60 years.

On a number of occasions the Frederick Family was elected “Family of the Month” by the Knights of Columbus. Rita was President of the Altar Society, Choir Director and in 1966 began working in CCD and many other Parish Services.

In 1971 Sr. Anastasia offered Rita a position in the Beaumont Diocese of Religious Education. Rita continued to work as Assistant Director of the Diocesan Office of Family Ministry for over 15 years. Rita conducted a number of workshops all over the state.

Upon her retiring from the Family Life Ministry, Rita and Wilson move to Holy Family Retreat Center, in Beaumont, TX.  Rita did volunteer work and assist Wilson as Caretakers around 1985.

In a letter at the time of her retirement, Charlie Balsom, The Director of Family Life Ministry, was quoted as saying, “You prophetically asserted yourself when you felt called to change your work focus…when you wanted to improve the D.A.W.N. Widowed Ministry Network, and Building Family Relationships, and all in the sanctuary of your office.

He continued to say, “You modeled tireless, undaunted commitment to the integrity of Family Ministry. You have touched countless numbers of people, both in the public forums and in the offices. You live the Domestic Church, Frederick-Style. Our department is better off because you spent part of your life and gave yourself so fully to your vocation. The Church is evangelized by you.”

Rita was a Eucharistic Minister for many years and helped in a number of committees and service groups like Meals-on-Wheels. Rita with her husband, Wilson, were acting coordinators for the Parish Renew Program, a number of discussion clubs, parent education, CCD, family enrichment groups, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, ACTS, baptismal catechesis and Pre-Cana. Rita and Wilson were Associates of the SEC and were very active. Under their tutelage the number of Associates from Nederland grew greatly over the 10+ years they were involved.

Rita truly enjoyed their time at Holy Family Retreat Center. They worked closely with Reverend Father Michael A. Jamail and a number of Incarnate Word Sisters, Dominican Sisters and Sisters of the Eucharistic Covenant. They proudly celebrated another retirement from Holy Family Center in 1991.  

Rita and Wilson were loyal and committed to their friends and family. One example is the fun and support group, the “Cheap Night Bunch”; they began in 1991.  Wilson and Rita, Denver and Gwen Knowles, Dot and Anthony Concienne, and Patsy and Ernie Collins decided to meet monthly to support one another. They often met at the Pompano Club where they could eat and dance for “cheap”. Denver named them the C.N.B. Club; they met for many years and were a strong support group for each other in life and death.

Rita had a beautiful smile that would melt your heart and make you feel loved and accepted. She had friends everywhere; you could not help falling in love with her. Rita was a very talented artist that loved to paint and draw.  Rita was multi-talented and could crochet, knit, cook and sew very well.  She loved to sing and did so like an angel.  Rita dedicated her life to Christ, her family, friends and community.

On behalf of the Frederick family, they would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for all the prayers, love and concern shown to the family during Rita’s illness. Her light will be missed!

A Christian Vigil for Mrs. Frederick will begin at 6:00 p.m., with a gathering of her friends and family to follow Thursday, March 6, 2014, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 7, 2014, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 211 Hardy Avenue, Nederland, with interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.