Rita M. Gonzalez

GONZALEZ, Rita M. “Sammie”, 76, of Tampa, passed away January 14, 2015. She was a bartender at Clemente’s Lounge on Armenia for over 20 years. She sang in nightclubs in Washington, DC in her younger years. She was a big Elvis Presley fan and enjoyed playing bingo. She was preceded in death by her husband and soulmate, James Gonzalez; parents, James and Mary McCarthy; sister, Patricia Porter. She is survived by her six children, Kristy Blankenship, Danny Patterson, Cynthia Luiaconi, Tina Turk, Carmen Sullivan and Jaime Gonzalez; seven grandchildren, John Patterson, Russell Burleson, Shane Patterson, Brandy Blankenship, James Patterson, Charles Patterson and Becky Erwin; eight great grandchildren , Nataly Patterson, Charles Blankenship, Brandy Blankenship, Jr., Gage Patterson, Morgan Shelton, Kaitlynn Patterson, Liam Patterson and Caleb Patterson; special niece and nephew, Karen and Mike Porter. Service information will be posted as soon as it is available. A graveside service will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Centro Asturiano Cemetery.