Rita Deniese Morey

Rita Deniese Morey was born May 20, 1953 at Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis, IN to Mary Rice Morey and Wade Morey.

Rita attended School #43 during her elementary school years. Even at this early age, her family could tell she would always be the “life of the party” and “class clown”. Rita accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Messiah Missionary Baptist Church by the late great Pastor Albert Wadsworth. After grade school, she attended Broad Ripple High School where she took a great interest in the musical arts and joined The Broad Ripple High School Gospel Choir, as well as, The Messiah Missionary Baptist Youth Choir. During high school, Rita attended the Upward Bound Program through Indiana University.

Rita graduated from Broad Ripple High School in 1971 and went on to attend Indiana State University. While at Indiana State University, Rita majored in Criminology and minored in African-American Studies. On May 2, 1975, Rita became a proud member of DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, Inc. Rita was a member of the Zeta Nu chapter and was Vice-Rock of her line. Rita and the other illustrious ladies of “THE NINE SHINING STARS OF DST” worked to better the community of Terre Haute, IN while as undergraduates in the sorority. In 1976, Rita graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in Criminology. Later that same year, Rita relocated to California to pursue her goal of becoming a Corrections Officer. Rita was the first African American female Warden in Mira Loma, CA.

In 1976, Rita united in holy matrimony to Wade Wideman. There were no children from this union.

In 1986, Rita made her way back home to Indianapolis, IN to continue her work in the corrections field. She worked as the Director of Direct Care staff, CRF for 10 years before her health began to decline.

Rita loved to travel and after her retirement, she crisscrossed the nation visiting family, friends, and sorority sisters. Rita also loved watching movies (her favorites were lifetime movies), spending time with family and friends, especially during the holiday season. Recently, she loved spending time with her two brand new Great-Great Nieces. Rita would tell anyone who listened that she was a Great-Great-Great Aunt. Rita’s nieces and nephews were her pride and joy. Rita was also a bit of a fashionista and could always be seen dawned in the hottest new designer trends, clothes, and shoes. Rita’s first love was always music. Rita would sing along in the car, at home, and even in the shopping mall. Whenever a tune that she loved came on, Rita would strike up a note. Rita’s first, last, and forever love was Michael Jackson. If he sang it or starred in it, Rita was the first one to buy it!

Rita made her final transition from labor to rest on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 6:00 am. Her mother, Mary Rice-Morey; father, Wade Morey; sister, Maybell Underwood; and 2 infant brothers, proceed her in death.

To cherish her memory, she leaves niece, Sheena Hughes; greatnieces, Michelle (William) Edwards, and Monica Poindexter; great-greatnieces, Cierre’ Maxey, Mia Poindexter; great-greatnephews, Isaiah Poindexter, Anthony Edwards; two great-great greatnieces; Godson, Adam Spencer; special friend, Marc Bacon, all of Indianapolis, IN; and many other sorority sisters, family, and friends.