Rita (Burkhart) Schwarz was called home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. She was born on March 10, 1937 in Aurora, Illinois to Sherman and Ada Burkhart. She grew up in Aurora and graduated from East Aurora High School in 1955. In 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Schwarz and worked at the Chicago Motor Club Home Building and Loan during the early years of their marriage.

Rita longed to be a mother, and in 1961 she and Bob welcomed their first child, Jay, into their family. Over the next several years their family grew with the addition of a daughter, Lee, and another son, Brad. Rita loved being a wife and mother. It was after their home and family was established that the Lord called Rita and Bob to Himself. For the remainder of their 69 years of marriage, Bob and Rita served the Lord together.

She and Bob moved their family to Alabama in 1976. They were active members at Shades Mountain Bible Church for many years, and subsequently of Hunter Street Baptist Church. Rita was devoted to Jesus and sought to serve Him through whatever she did. Rita had the opportunity to go on several missions trips, and loved being able to tell as many people as she could about the saving power of Jesus. She also taught English as a Second Language at Hunter Street Baptist Church, and cherished the friendships she made there. Rita was very involved with Christian Women's Club (now Stonecroft Ministries), and served as a speaker sharing her testimony with hundreds of women through the years.

The Lord gave Rita many artistic talents and she used her abilities to serve the Lord during craft time at Summer Quest at Hunter Street. She loved painting and decorating. For many years, she and Bob had a business with Bob as the woodworker, and Rita painting the wooden items. Rita was a wonderful friend to so many. Her heart was always open to anyone and everyone who needed a friend. She was a wonderful, loving, and involved grandmother to her five grandchildren. She desired to live her life on purpose, with purpose, learning from yesterday, looking forward to tomorrow, and celebrating today.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Roland, her son, Jay Schwarz, and her daughter-in-law Diane (Lee) Schwarz.

She is survived by her husband, Bob, daughter, Lee Schwarz (Doug), son, Brad Schwarz, grandchildren, Kellye Harris (Tyler), Brent Schwarz (Abigail), Rob Schwarz, Madison Schwarz, and Matthew Schwarz (Sammy), and great grandchildren Evelyn, Caleb, and Jane Harris.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that donations be sent to the Alzheimer's Association or the Missions Fund at Hunter Street Baptist Church.