Obituary of Rita Lee Matlock

Rita Lee Matlock passed away April 10, 2022, in Olympia, Washington, her home of 53 years.  She was born December 30, 1943, to Jean and Margaret Chapman in Seattle, Washington, where she graduated from Holy Angels High School in 1962.  

Rita married David Henry in 1966.  They moved to Olympia in 1968, and raised four boys, Mike, Joe, Rich and Gary.  In February 1993, Rita married Ken Matlock, and added two sons, Mark and Matt, and a daughter, Malaena, all of whom she loved and treated as her own. She deeply loved all her children and 10 grandchildren.

Rita was kind, loving, sincere, thoughtful, and giving.  She always greeted friends and family with a smile and hug. She was an avid reader; loved to travel throughout the world with her husband, Ken, or sister, Gail; and supported her grandchildren in all their sports and activities; she was always a presence in their lives. She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Olympia.

Professionally, Rita worked at Memorial Clinic in Lacey, Washington, for more than 25 years.  She loved Christmas and was a supervisor and sold “Christmas Around the World” for close to 20 years.

Rita is survived by her husband, Ken; sons, Michael Henry, Joseph Henry, Richard Allen, Gary Henry, Mathew Matlock, and Mark Matlock; daughters, Nicki Henry (husband, Michael), JoAnn Henry (husband, Joseph), and Malaena Matlock; ten grandchildren; brother, Paul Chapman; and sisters, Valerie Klee and Gail Johnston. She was predeceased by her father, Jean Chapman; mother, Margaret Chapman; sister, Toni Sullivan; brothers, Jean Chapman and Joe Chapman; daughter-in-law, Amy Allen; and granddaughter, Kayleigh Henry.

Services will be held Friday, April 22, 2022, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1208 11^th Ave. SE, Olympia, WA 98501.  Viewing will be at 11:00 a.m., followed by Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m.  A graveside service will be held Monday, May 2, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

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