Rita Cargill Ellerd
Rita Cargill Ellerd, 62, passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021 at her home in Brazoria, TX. She was born December 30, 1958 in Fort Worth, Texas to W. B.”Dub” Cargill, Jr. and Louise Swartz Cargill.
Rita had a very full life. She was Texas’ youngest Judge ever in Texas. Sworn in at nineteen years of age, she was an honor roll student in school and was in the school textbook, American Government in 1983. Maybe you read about her or in the many stories in the tabloids, The Enquirer, Globe, Star. Her story even went to overseas. She received tabloids from England, Germany and Spain. One of her favorite sayings was “I have married more men than anyone my age and I never got a divorce”. When she was 21, she married Timothy Ellerd and they had two sons, Joshua and Jared. They formed a Pest Control business, became motorcycle enthusiasts, attending many rallies and riding with friends until the flood Harvey of 2017 destroying their motorcycles. Then Rita became ill and was diagnosed with terminal brain and lung cancer. She had brain surgery which seemed to be a success then she started chemotherapy for the tumor in her lung. At first it seemed to be helping but then the tumor began growing. She was put on a different chemo treatment but the tumor would not respond. She lost her beautiful long blonde hair but she kept her beautiful vibrant spirit until near the end. She became weary and tired of the long battle of pain and the loss of strength that kept her in bed most of the time. We kept praying for a divine miracle from God knowing Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. The lepers were terminal too, but the ones who got to Jesus were healed and made whole. She has finished her race and is now free from the pain. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. For us who love her there is a huge vacancy, but there is a “hope” to those who love the Lord will walk together on streets of gold forever in the presence of the Lord which will be forever joy and peace and happiness. In his presence is fullness of joy. The Book of Proverbs is the teaching book. There is a story of being wise for survival and from childhood it has been Rita’s favorite scripture, Proverbs 30:24. There will be four things which are little upon the earth; but they are exceedingly wise, 25 the ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; 26 the conies are but a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks; 27 the locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands; 28 the spider taketh holt with her hands, and is in Kings Palaces. When we had a Bible reading no matter where we read at the end Rita would say, now momma read about the conies. Ecclesiastes 12:13 sums up our need to learn God’s word. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; fear God, and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man. Rita was a member of Jones Creek Assembly of God. She was preceded in death by her father.
She is survived by her husband, Timothy “Tim” Joe Ellerd; sons, Joshua Caleb Ellerd and wife Brittany and Michael Jared Ellerd and fiancé Alana; two grandsons, Harley James Ellerd and Jaxson Caleb Ellerd’ mother, Louise Cargill; aunts, Dorothy Pearson, Wanda Cargill, Peggy Hammer and husband Dan; uncle, Bobby Cargill and wife Joan; and numerous cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM. Friday; September 10, 2021 at Wiley Funeral Home Chapel in Granbury with viewing and visitation from 10am. to 11am. prior to service. Graveside service and burial will follow at Holly Hills Memorial Park in Granbury under the direction of Wiley Funeral Home of Granbury.