Anita Marie Rearick

Anita Marie (Bown) Rearick passed away far too soon on Monday, May 19th, 2025, at the age of 80. Anita was born on September 28th, 1944, in Fairbanks, Alaska, to Ada and Denver Bown. The oldest of four siblings, Anita carried the strength and heart of a big sister throughout her life. On June 30th, 1964, she married the love of her life, Larry Rearick Sr., when they were both just 19 years old. Their love was deep and lasting — a true partnership filled with faith, laughter, and devotion. After Larry’s passing, Anita lived another 25 years, holding his memory close while continuing to love and support the family they built together. Family was everything to Anita. She remembered every birthday, every favorite food, every story you’d told her — because she truly knew each of us. She celebrated our wins like they were her own, cheering the loudest and lifting each person with her unwavering belief in their goodness and potential. She gifted not only thoughtful presents — your favorite snack, drink, or little surprise — but something more precious: her time, her help, her love. She took the grandkids everywhere — the zoo, Disney, on vacations, out to eat — and made ordinary days feel like special adventures. Anita was the kind of woman who never sat down until everything was tidy, who made a spotless house feel like home, and who could make you laugh with her infectious joy. She loved sweet hot tea, Alabama football (Roll Tide!), playing Bingo, Elvis, and soaking in the beauty of life’s simple pleasures. She had soul and heart. She hurt when you hurt. She believed in kindness, in goodness, in giving — and oh, was she ever a giver. Anita is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry Rearick Sr., her sister Kay Bown, and her niece Kate Jensen. She is survived by her five children: Ellen (Eric) Bluhm, Larry Rearick Jr., Linda (Johnny) Schmidt, Carol (Russell) Lawrence, and Hope (Scott) Zonca. She leaves behind a legacy of love through her grandchildren: Jessica Cawley (Austin), Jennifer (Jake) Wilson (Wyatt, Aldrik, and Logan), Jeremy Rearick, Ariel (Ryan) Gregg, Kayla (Evan) Thomason (Ava, Ana, and Jett), Kimberly (Brandon) Solomon (Sawyer and Naomi), Koribeth (Preston) Rouse (Brynn), Cole Zonca, Madeline Zonca, Tyler Lawrence, Hope Lawrence (Kyleigh and Colton). She is also survived by her siblings Jack (Marianne) Bown and Alice Grosse and many nieces and nephews. Anita was deeply loved by so many and will be missed beyond measure. Her light, her laughter, and her love will continue to shine in the hearts of everyone who knew her. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 23rd, 2025, at James and Lipford Funeral Home, 5390 Cotton Street, Graceville, Florida. The family will receive guests at 9:30 a.m., followed by the service at 10:30 a.m.

Anita Marie Rearick

September 28, 1944 - May 19, 2025