MERITA L. HOPE January 3, 1933 – May 1, 2018

Merita Laverne Hope, 85, of Atlanta, Georgia passed away at home on May 1, 2018. “Rita” was born in Gainesville, Georgia on January 3, 1933 and was the daughter of the late Hazel and Merritt Hope. She was preceded in death by her sister Ann Hendrix and brother Michael Hope. She is survived by her brothers Tony Hope and Charles Hope, nieces Katie Hope, Michele Hope, nephews Jeff Hendrix, Greg Hendrix, Tim Hendrix, Chris Hope, and Robert Hope. She is also survived by 8 great-nieces and great-nephews. Rita graduated from College Park High in 1951, then started work at Nabisco as a switch board operator and retired as the company’s first ever female office manager in 1985. Family meant everything to Rita, and she was always there for her family in a time of need. She loved to host Sunday dinners, holiday gatherings and birthdays at her home in Riverdale, Georgia. She also loved her Boston terriers, Honey and Gidget, The Braves, bingo and playing the slot machines in Las Vegas, and watching old movies. Rita will be greatly missed by her family and forever remembered for her selfless and generous ways. Services will be held Sunday May 6 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens with visitation at 3pm and the funeral at 4 pm.