Obituary of Rita-Lepera Fain

Rita Lepera Fain, age 79, of Helen, Ga. passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at a private health care center in Cleveland, Ga.Mrs. Rita Fain (Gram) was born in Philadelphia, Pa. to the late James and Catherine Rocco Lepera. Rita graduated from Hower Vocational High School where she studied art, then later attended Brenau College and the University of Georgia. While employed by Roadway Express, she met and married her husband, Ronald Fain. In 1955, she and Ronald wed and began traveling the world with the U.S. Army. While stationed at Ft. McClellan, Ala., she was awarded the honor of Military Wife of the Year. Always active in the community, she taught elementary school and worked in the Women's Auxiliary at military bases across the United States. Upon Ron's retirement from the Army, Rita moved with her family to Helen, Ga. There, Rita remained active, eventually becoming President of the Helen Chamber of Commerce. She also ran several businesses with her husband, including Fain's Antiques, Fain's Village Ice Cream store and Nora Mill Granary. Even after her retirement, she spearheaded the creation of St. Paul's Attic, a thrift store that was fundamental in raising money for St. Paul The Apostle Catholic Church's reconstruction in Cleveland, Ga.Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Travis Massey, Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Robert Morgan, Columbus; daughter, Judy Martin Gainesville; son and daughter-in-law, David and Liz Fain, Cleveland; daughter and son-in-law, Joann and Rich Tarpley, Cleveland; grandchildren, Jennifer Martin, Sara Fain, Ryan and Cat Massey, Matthew and Lesley Morgan, Heather and Trey Godfrey, Josh Massey, Jacob and Sophia Fain, Thomas Morgan, Brandon Tarpley, Katherine Morgan, Paul Fain, Joseph Vandegriff, Mia Massey, Megan and Drew Camp, Isabelle Fain and Joshua Fain; great-grandchildren, Zachary and Rachel Anne Godfrey, Zoey Kay Liberata Morgan; siblings, Doroles Joyner, Akron, Ohio, Joseph Lepera, Elyria, Ohio, Gene Lepera, Akron, Ohio, James Lepera, Mogadore, Ohio, Patricia (Marcus) Carter, Mogadore, Ohio, Raymond Lepera, Akron, Ohio, Barbara (Jack) Rogers, Barborsville, Va.; Veronica Tynan, Radford, Va., Andrew (Lisa) Lepera, Skillman, N.J.She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Fain; grandson, Gregory Alan Martin; and siblings, Marie Lepera, Anthony Lepera, Lucille Lepera, Anne McAllister, Rosalie Duffy and Paul Lepera. The family will receive friends 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, Ga.Funeral mass will be celebrated at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Cleveland, Ga. Father Vincent Sullivan will officiate. Interment will be at Yonah View Memorial Gardens, Cleveland, Ga.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Grace Educational Fund, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 1243 Hulsey Road. Cleveland, GA 30528.Online condolences may be made to the family at barrettfh.com. Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, Ga.Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com.The Times, Gainesville, Ga.Jan. 16, 2012