Rita Griffing McCain died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. She was 88.

Born in Vicksburg, Mrs. McCain was the daughter of the late Robert Eugene Griffing and Mary Josephine Ward Griffing. She was a 1938 graduate of St. Francis Xavier Academy.

Mrs. McCain retired in January 1980 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, with 38 years of service as the Vicksburg District’s first female Chief (Chief of Office Administrative Services) and in June 2002 was inducted into the Gallery of Distinguished Civilian Employees. At the time of her death, she was a 28-year employee of People’s Drug Store. 

She is survived by her children, William D. “Billy” McCain Jr. and his wife, Shannon, of Biloxi, Denise Kaufman and her husband, Don, of Vicksburg, Mary C. Hughes and her husband, Gregory, of Middle Granville, N.Y., Robert M. “Joseph” McCain and his wife, Wanda, of Brandon, Teresa M. Richards and her husband, Russell, of Vicksburg, Michael A. McCain and his wife, Leah, of Vicksburg and John B. McCain and his wife, Shelia, of Vicksburg; 18 grandchildren, Heather Jackson, Courtney Pridmore, Chelsea Whitten, Cody McCain, Mary Beth McCain, Lindsay Maykowski, Mark Kaufman, Michelle Gomez, Dylan Hughes, Wren Hillman, Matt McCain, Rob McCain, Mollie George, Kyle Richards, Michael Corbin McCain, Anna Kate McCain, Connor McCain and Austin McCain; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Marguerite Griffing; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Rosemary Harkins, Bernice Logue and Gloria Gunn who lovingly supported Rita and her family during her time of illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Dewey McCain Sr.; sister, Alma McCormick; and her brothers, Herman and Louis Griffing and Joe and Shelby Crapps.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Michael Catholic Church with the Rev. P.J. Curley, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill cemetery under the direction of Riles Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 tonight at Riles Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. A visitation will also be Tuesday at St. Michael Catholic Church from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of the service.

Mrs. McCain’s children will be pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church, 100 St. Michael Place, Vicksburg, MS 39180; Vicksburg Catholic Schools, 1900 Grove St., Vicksburg, MS 39183; and to Son Valley (Ministry to adults with mental retardation), P.O. Box 406, Canton, MS 39046.