Rita Harrington Smith, 65, of Blythewood, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2020 at home. Born in Columbia, SC, on July 17, 1954, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Oliver and Dorothy Mae Huggins Harrington.

Rita was a graduate of Keenan High School. Her interests included, family, working in her yard and garden, fishing, traveling to the beach or mountains with her sisters, and watching and reading sappy love stories. Rita, devoted most of time and energy to her husband and her beloved grandbabies. They were the light of her life and the reason she kept fighting every day.

Survivors include her husband, Stephen Ray Smith; daughters, Rochelle Smith (Michael Brent) and Nicole Benchoff (Jacob); grandsons, Liam Benchoff and Lane Smith; granddaughters, Isabel Diane Benchoff and Callasandra Smith; sisters, Susan Harrington and Lorrie H. Tobias (Jody); brother-in-law, Heyward Holton (Carra); sister-in-law, Hylon Harrington; nephews, Billy Harrington, Jr. (Latrelle), Clint Harrington (Lisa), Jimmy Harrington, Jr. (Lisa); nieces, Angie Glenn (Steve) and Vickie Brock; and numerous other nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Jimmy Harrington, Sr. and Billy Harrington, Sr; and a sister, Janet Harrington Holton.

In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its restrictions, the funeral service for Mrs. Smith will be for immediate family only. A live stream of the service may be viewed at ShivesFuneralHome.com and clicking her tribute page beginning at 8am, Monday, April 27th. She will be laid to rest at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Mrs. Smith will be available for viewing between the hours of 9 and 4 on Wednesday, April 22nd, thru Sunday, April 26th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia.

Memorials may be made by visiting the page established on St. Jude's website in Rita's memory: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=6617457&pg=personal&fr_id=39300