It may have been the final curtain call but it was a lifetime performance for Rita Jo Allen (Grieb) in which she took her final bow on this stage of life after 90 years of making certain the show goes on.
Married to a loving husband for 68 years, Dr. Bill Grieb, the show at home is what she will best be known for. Loving, nurturing, sympathizing, guiding, successfully helping raise 2 sons and 1 daughter who in turn prospered of their own in producing 4 grandsons, 4 granddaughters, 8 great grandsons and 3 great granddaughters – not bad for a one-act play!
Rita Allen was always a joy to be around, with her infectious smile and sense of style, and of course she earned an honest Drama Queen reputation – playing the role, whatever it is, worthy of Oscar consideration.
She was rarely if ever bereft of flaunting her fashion especially during any special Hallmark holiday, and her collection of hats for Sunday go-to-church services was astounding, one of a kind! A hat for whatever the occasion called for. Affectionately known as the “Hat Lady” who sat up close to the front during church service, adding a certain flair to the gathering.
Mom truly enjoyed verbal interaction with everyday folks which made her a natural sales person – if only she could bring herself to ask for the “close.” Instead, she used her acting skill and her desire to help in promoting jewelry, cookware accessories, food recipes among others.
But her true interest outside of family was the theater. Receiving a Best Actress Gem Award for her role in Moon Over Buffalo she reaffirmed her real calling after becoming involved with Jewel Box Theater. Making new friends in the Thespian World was fascinating and enlightening, but she never failed to reflect the love of The Lord, influencing for good.
Rita brightened the world for those around her, with her love for God and her gratitude for the everyday blessings He bestows on all. The light she reflected will continue to be shared by all who knew her.
The Funeral Service for Rita will take place at 10:00 AM, on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Buchanan Funeral Service, 8712 N Council Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73132.
Condolences(3)-
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Loretta Lee says
January 29, 2025 at 1:19 pmI’m so sorry for your loss. I will keep you all in my prayers and thoughts.
Dianne Chitwood says
January 30, 2025 at 7:54 pmI have the flu and will be unable to attend Rita’s service. I have many memories of the Grieb family since our families were such close friends for years. I have to tell a couple of stories about Camp Rock Creek. Matthew was a camper, Rita was a cook and I was a counselor. I usually cleaned the pool while campers were in Bible class. It must have been raining because I was in the kitchen to help cook that day. On the menu were those nasty boxed potato flake mashes potatoes. I was saying that the kids would not eat those. Rita said” You’ve never had my potatoes”. I learned the “secret” of boxed potatoes. Lots of real butter & whole milk. No water! Those kids ate all of the potatoes! Many years later I was a cook at Memorial Road’s mission church in South OKC, I was able to amaze the other cooks with the Rita Grieb recipe for boxed potatoes. Just like at camp, our kids ate all the potatoes! We had skit night at camp. Each cabin had a skit and the counselors had one also. Notice “counselors” not cooks skit. That week Rita wanted to be in our skit. In fact she took charge and directed the counselors skit. It was the best counselors skit in all my years at Camp Rock Creek. I loved Rita. She was always fun no matter what we were doing. Her love for the Lord and others always shone through anything in which she was involved. Love you all! Dianne
Dianne Chitwood says
January 30, 2025 at 8:10 pmI have the flu and will be unable to attend Rita’s service tomorrow. I have lots of memories of the Grieb family since our families were so close for many years. I have to share a couple of stories from Camp Rock Creek. Matthew was a camper, Rita was a cook and I was a counselor. I usually cleaned the pool while the campers were in Bible class. It must have been raining because I was in the kitchen to help cook. On the menu were those nasty boxed potato flakes. I’m was saying that the kids would not eat those things. Your mom told me that I had never har “her” mashed potatoes. I learned the secret recipe. Lots of real butter and whole milk. NO water. She was correct. Those campers at all those potatoes! Many years later I was a cook for Memorial Road’s mission church on the South side of OKC. I was able to amaze the other cooks with the Rita Grieb mashed potatoes. Just like the campers, the kids ate all the potatoes. Camp always has Skit Night on the last night. Each cabin has a skit and the counselors also have a skit. Notice it says counselors, not Cooks skit. That week Rita invited herself to join our skit. In fact she took over our skit, directed it and acted in it. It was the best Counselors Skit I was ever involved in over all my years at camp! Rita was a joy to be around. No matter what you were doing, Rita’s love for the Lord and others was always evident. I love all of you! Glad your mom is able to be with the Love of her life again. Dianne
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