Rita Ann Burch, daughter of the late Arthur Thomas Read Jr. and Ann Farr Palmer, was born on May 16, 1951, in Michigan and departed this life at her residence in Batesville, Arkansas on December 12, 2023, at the age of 72 years.

Mrs. Burch was a homemaker. She attended Harrison Street Church of Christ in Batesville, Arkansas. She enjoyed supporting her family and attending sporting events.

On October 24, 1969, in Bernie, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Glen Burch. Mr. Burch survives of their home in Batesville, Arkansas.

Along with her husband, she is survived by her son, Brian Burch and wife Shelly of Heber Springs, Arkansas; by five brothers, Ray Read of Puxico, Missouri, Ronnie Palmer of Bernie, Missouri, Larry Palmer of Bloomfield, Missouri, Johnny Palmer of Bernie, Missouri, and Randall Palmer of Wesley Chapel, Florida; by five sisters, Sandra Cryts of Bernie, Missouri, by Linda Fay Merritt of Bernie, Missouri, Brenda Smith of Bloomfield, Missouri, Sally Cloninger of Bernie, Missouri and Rita Jo Kerr of Doniphan, Missouri; by four grandchildren, Logan Burch, Gabriel Tate, Brandon Tate, and Kathryn Tate; and by two great-grandchildren, Layton Burch and Wyatt Tate.

Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, John Palmer; by three brothers, Roger Read, Arthur Thomas Read III, and Jack Palmer; and by two sisters, Linda Jane Ford and Nancy Waldrup.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Friday, December 15, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is assisting with arrangements.