Rita Frances Seymore

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Rita Frances Seymore, 76.  Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, she came to the Ocala area in 1978 with her husband, Dr. James Seymore and their children.  Educated at the University of Missouri at Columbia and Southeast Missouri State University, she served as Administrator for her husband’s orthopedic practice from 2001-2007, a substitute teacher and reading tutor in Marion County schools, and the Executive Director at the Discovery Science Center (1994-1995).

She also served her community well at the local, state, and national levels.  Rita is a life member of the Girl Scouts of America and served as President of the Girl Scouts Heart of Florida 2000-2003.  Since 1978 she was a member of the United Way of Marion County (Board of Directors 1988-1994, President’s Award 1990); Marion County Medical Society Alliance (President 1986, 2001); Ft. King Women’s Tennis Assoc. (President 1984, 1986); Florida Medical Assoc. Alliance (President 2003), Florida Medical Assoc. (Board of Trustees 2003, Bylaws 2004, 2007-2011); American Medical Assoc. Alliance (Board of Directors 2008-2009); Women’s Club of Ocala; American Heart Assoc.; American Cancer Society; Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research (founding member); CFCC Foundation Board (1989-1995); Children’s Service League and incorporated it into Junior League in 1989 (President 1989-1991); Discovery Science Center (President 1992-1993); Festival of Trees; CFCC Tiger Bay Club; Ocala Women’s Network (Treasurer 2005-2006); Florida Department of Education Core Writing Team (1991); Leadership Ocala Marion (Class V, Board of Directors 1992-1994); Women of Worth; Brick City Partnership.  She also served on Governor Jeb Bush’s Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development in 2002 and his Coalition on Preventing Underage Drinking in 2003.

To say Rita, had many talents and interests would be a huge understatement.  Rita, was the proverbial Jack of All Trades, and those who know her also have witnessed firsthand how both her mind and her body were constantly in motion.  An avid bridge player, reader, extreme puzzler, and artist in a family of artistic talent, Rita never stopped learning and doing.  In short, Rita was the personification of the chorus of the hit song, “Break my Stride,” by Matthew Wilder, and no one could break her stride, or hold her back, “oh, no, [she’s] got to keep on moving.”

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, James C. Seymore, M.D. of Ocala; son Stephen (Deborah) of Tallahassee; daughter Andrea (Daniel Eckstein, M.D.) of St. Petersburg; son Kenneth (Jennifer) of Tallahassee; and her beloved Widget; grandchildren Schuyler, Madison, Morgan, Connor, and Brynn; sister Carol Rupp of New Mexico; sister-in-law Melba Leykam (Joseph) of Nebraska; nephew Nathan Leykam (Lauren) of Minnesota; her grandnephews and grandnieces Emerson, Wesley, Catherine, and Eileen Leykam; and the family furbabies Otis, Henry, Poppy, Jean Luc, George, Stella Rose, Olive, Tipsy, Hermi, and Seven.  She was preceded in death by her father George Joseph Rupp, III and her mother Jane Rupp of Missouri; her brother Edward Rupp of Missouri; her brother Andrew Rupp (Janet) of Missouri; her mother-in-law Lema Seymorher brother-in-law Lee Roy Seymore of Washington; and beloved family furbabies Romeo, Ginger, Doc, Buddy, Pippa, and Isabella Jean Seymore.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at Mulberry Grove Recreation Center in the Villages (8445 SE 165th Mulberry Lane, The Villages, FL 32162).  The family will receive friends following the service.  Arrangements are being made by Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice of Marion County, Girls Scouts of America, or the United Way of Marion County.