Rita Smith

Rita Ann Smith (1944–2019) was born in Kingston to Mary and Ernest. She grew up with sister Ina and brother Jim, in Godstone and went to school in Oxted. Rita married Alan in 1965. Maria was born a couple of years later, and Carl a couple of years after that. They lived in Surrey until taking over The Man of Kent pub in Sevenoaks, Kent. They soon moved on to Tandridge Golf Club, before finally settling in Oxted. Most of Rita’s working life was spent either book-keeping or working in hospitals, first as an auxiliary nurse, then in housekeeping and catering. Among Rita’s interests were meditation and creative writing. She also loved knitting and was an impressive seamstress. Above all she loved entertaining her four grandchildren, James, Daisy, Thomas & Oliver.