Rita N. Spriggs, 80, of South Fork Rd., Appomattox, died Thursday, February 18, 2010, in the Appomattox Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Rita is survived by her husband, William E. Spriggs and a son, Thomas W. Spriggs of Appomattox.
Born in Morristown, NJ, on May 21, 1929, she was a daughter of the late Vincent J. and Helen R. Morrison Nodoro. She graduated from Morristown High School in June 1948 and in July went to work for the New Jersey Bell Telephone Co. In early November 1949, Rita went roller skating and met Bill Spriggs who just a week early had been discharged for the Army. They dated for a few years and were engaged Christmas Day, 1951. On June 27, 1953 they were married and celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this past June. She took a break from work in 1957 to be a full time mom to her son, Tom. In 1969, she returned to work and retired from Verizon Telephone Company in March, 1985, after 26 years of service.
During her high school years was active in the Civil Air Patrol. She was a member of Morris County Historical Society and a Docent at Acorn Hall in Morristown, NJ. She served as a Girl Scout Leader in Lake Parsippany, NJ. She loved working with young children and watching them enjoying new experiences.

After moving with her husband to Appomattox in December of 1998, Rita joined the Appomattox Historical Society. In Appomattox she once again served as a Docent; this time at the Appomattox County Museum and Clover Hill Village. She also volunteered at the Appomattox Visitors Center and the Appomattox Bloodmobile.

Rita loved arts and crafts; she painted beautiful scenery pictures with oil and water colors. She painted on canvas, china, and also on dolls, which she would dress as well. With her love of art, Rita even ran the art club at the phone company while she was employed there. She loved to dance, eat out, and vacation in Maine at various Bed and Breakfast establishments. When her husband asked her what she wanted to make for supper, she always replied "reservations"!

Graveside funeral services will be held 2:00 pm, Sunday, February 21, 2010 in Liberty Cemetery by the Rev. Tom Chalfant.

The family will receive friends at Robinson Funeral Home on Saturday from 2-4:00 pm and 7-8:30 pm.

Those wishing to make memorials please consider the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 823, Lynchburg, VA 24503 or AWAG, PO Box 37, Appomattox, VA 24522.