Mrs. Rita R. Trafford, 88, of Linden, passed away Friday, October 30, 2026, at her home in Linden, IN, close to family and friends. She was born February 1, 1938, in Mt. Vernon, IN, a daughter of the late William A. Brantley and Edna M. (Curry) Brantley.

On December 11, 1954, Rita married her childhood neighbor, Robert L. Trafford, and they shared 70 years together.

Rita attended Mt. Vernon High School and went on to get her GED and later attended IUPUI. Beginning in 2015, she became a published author of two sequel book writings (A Place Called Forever and The World Beneath the Sycamore), which reflected her childhood life born and raised on the Ohio river, and on to her early adulthood with a husband and children. She also has published poetry writing in the archives of the National Library of Congress, among hundreds of writing journals placed in her home.

She took pleasure in working in a variety of libraries and public-school programs, working with high school students with learning deficiencies. She later retired from Query Classic Monuments in 2016.

Rita’s soul passion was serving the Lord Jesus Christ and spreading his Word and love to everyone she met, placing the Lord’s blessing on them and their family before she left their presence. She also took a deep interest in writing poetry, short stories, and connecting with nature on an intimate level. Her joy always poured out when she was surrounded by her family, along with each newborn that was added. Rita had a special gift of leaving a unique and deeply laid impression in the hearts of everyone who encountered her presence, which made others, young and old, gravitate to her whenever she entered a room.

Rita would often attend on a regular basis both Hope Community Church in Lebanon and the Ingathering Church in Linden.

Survivors include her sons, Robert W. (Donna) Trafford, Terry Trafford (Nita Dickerson), and Darryl Trafford; brother-in-law, Herman (Ruth) Turner; half-brother, Jimmy Brantley; along with ten grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and growing.

In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Trafford; and her first-born son, Billy R. Trafford.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Riley Children’s Hospital, PO Box 3356, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

Family and friends will gather Friday, November 6, for visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. Rita will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.

You are invited to visit the website where you may sign her online register and leave a personal message at www.strawmyerdrury.com.