Eva LaRita Thomas McGown, age 88, passed away on January 12, 2024, after an unexpectedly three month battle with gallbladder cancer. LaRita was born on November 5, 1935, in Huntsville, Texas to Cecil and Eva Thomas. LaRita was recently preceded by her lifelong love and husband, Lamar McGown on July 14, 2023. She is survived by her brother; Barney (Linda) Thomas; and sister, Cecilia (Bill) Rich and her three sons, Douglas, Steven (Priscilla), and Scott (Anita) McGown. She was a devoted mother to her three sons. The greatest gift they gave her were her beautiful six granddaughters. She loved being Mimi to Morgan McGown (Fiancé Jack), Aubrielle Russo (Spencer), Kelsey McGown, Sarah McGown, Elleanna McGown, and Noelle McGown. Mimi loved nothing more than spending time with her girls, whether it was watching them play volleyball, dance, or preparing their favorite meal with sweets, she loved spoiling them.

LaRita grew up in Bedias, Texas, and graduated from Huntsville High in 1954. After graduation, she became a flight attendant for Trans-Texas Airways, and at a party in 1957, she was introduced to Lamar McGown, while he was attending the University of Houston. You would think it was love at first sight because they were married shortly after, on December 14, 1957. Together, they lived a beautiful Christian marriage for 65 years. LaRita was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, and for a short time, she worked outside the home for Astroworld Amusement Park as their first female HR secretary. After moving to Friendswood, TX in 1975, she joined the administrative staff at Friendswood ISD as a secretary, and there she retired in 1997.

LaRita and Lamar were faithful members of Almeda Baptist Church and Sagemont respectively, and made many life-long friends. When the boys were young, LaRita was heavily involved in their athletics as a team-mother, medic, and uniform washer. LaRita was loved by many, and she loved back deeply. She rarely missed a luncheon, birthday party or shopping excursion with her friends from Sagemont Church.

Her unselfish sacrifices and services have forever made an impact in the world. Whether it was baking, sitting by someone in a hospital, giving money, attending Sunday School, playing bunco and bridge with her ladies' group, fixing meals, or serving her family hand and foot, she was always there and caring. She especially loved cruising with friends and family. Following Christ's example, she always put others first. She wanted everyone to be blessed before her. Her works spurned by her Faith in God were seen by all. She truly was a woman of God with a contagious smile.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00am Thursday, January 18th, 2024, at Peevey Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be privately held at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.