Funeral services for the late Rita Murdaugh- Sease will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 1:00 pm at McCune Branch Baptist Church, Lodge, South Carolina.Officiating Mininsters will be Rev. W. J. Simmons, Rev. Henry Murdaugh, Rev. Dr. Luns C. Richardson, Rev. Isaiah Bussey, Rev. Sanka Davis and Rev. N.A. McNeal. Mrs. Sease will be placed in the sanctuary of the church one hour before the service. Viewing for the public will be held on Tuesday between the hours of 6:00- 8:00 pm at the funeral home. The Ivy Beyond The Wall Ceremony will be conducted by members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at 7:08 pm at the funeral home. Mrs. Rita Murdaugh-Sease was born January 18, 1945 in Ehrhardt, South Carolina. She was the tenth of eleven children born to the late Lish and Neta Murdaugh. She was called to eternal rest on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by five siblings: Gladys, Nadine, Bernard, Homer and Frank. She graduated from Lewis L. Butler School. She then attended Claflin University where she earned her Bachelors degree, South Carolina State University where she earned her Master's degree and University of South Carolina where she earned her 30 hours above. An educator for over 30 years, Mrs. Murdaugh-Sease was a devoted special education teacher and was always eager to embrace learning opportunities for the success of whatever she pursued. As a member of the Bamberg School District 1 School Board, she reached the 6th Level (The Highest Level) of the SC School Board Association, was a member of the SC Caucus of Black School Board Members, was the first black female chair of the Bamberg School District 1 School Board and she was in training to receive the Parliamentarian Certification. She was a retired member of the South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) and a retired National Education Association (NEA) Lifetime Member . She was passionate about helping others, especially those of special needs. While at Denmark- Olar School District 2 and Hunter Kinard Tyler High School, she served as Chairperson of the Special Education Department. She was a three-time recipient of the Salkehatchie Incentive Award, Advisor to the Salley-Sellers Pre-MATE Program and initiated the Mock Trial Team with local attorneys. She was also the Advisor to the Teacher Cadets in Bamberg School District 2. She was a Life Member and Silver Star member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a former Graduate Advisor of Eta Nu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Voorhees College and Soror of the Year for Nu Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was the first coordinator of the Summer Recreation Program where she wrote and was awarded several grants to allow for summer programs that served children in Bamberg County. She joined McCune Branch Baptist Church in Lodge, SC at an early age and served faithfully her entire life. She was the Superintendent of the Sunday School, the Youth Advisor, the Building Fund Treasurer, served on the Finance Committee, served as an usher for many years and she initiated the Pack the Pew Rally. She leaves to cherish fond memories: one son , Monnie M. Sease Jr. of the home; one daughter, Tonja J. Sease of Columbia, Maryland; a special granddaughter, Sanguetta S. Banks of Augusta, Georgia; granddaughters, Taylor Sease and Kayla Sease; three brothers, Nathaniel Murdaugh of Queens, New York, Reverend Henry (Norma) Murdaugh of Orangeburg, South Carolina and Ernest (Dorothy) Murdaugh of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; two sisters, Dorothy Murdaugh-Long of Hollis Park, New York and Mary E. McMillan of Orangeburg, South Carolina and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends. Viewing for the public will be held on Tuesday from 6:00- 8:00 pm at the funeral home. The Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony conducted by members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., will begin at 7:08 pm at the funeral home.