Our wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, Reita Christina Bassett, died on Sunday, August 1, 2010, with her husband of 74 years, Earl, at her side. Reita was born 92 years ago to Anna and Phineas Parks at the family ranch on Willow Creek near Adin, California.
She was a devoted caregiver to her son Larry prior to his death. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Bertha and Haskell. Reita is survived by her husband, Earl, son Lyle (Verrill), grandchildren Kevin (Susan), Eric (Kristen), great grandchildren Ryan, Jace and Jack, and many nieces and nephews.
Reita and her siblings rode horses to a one-room school house for grammar school and she graduated from Big Valley High School in Adin in 1936, where she met her future husband Earl. She will be remembered as a great cook who loved children, friends, and family and always set an extra plate at the table for visitors. Reita and Earl opened Party Talk, the first card and gift shop in Mt. Shasta, in 1974.
Reita had been a resident of Mt. Shasta since 1936, and was involved in the PTA, American Legion Auxiliary, and Mt. Shasta United Methodist Church. Remembrances in Reita’s name may be made to Mt. Shasta Senior Nutrition, P.O. Box 314, Mt. Shasta, CA. 96067.
