Rita Chantel Diaz

Rita Chantel Diaz was born on August 10, 1968 in St. Louis, Missouri to the union of Mr. Aaron and Dorothy Jean (Cannon) Leonard. Rita was the second born of her siblings. Rita accepted Christ at an early age at Original Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. God gifted Rita with the gift of song and with this gift she enjoyed sing ing in the choir, as well as singing at the Baptist Building and other area churches with her family group known as “The Leonard Sisters” (Rita, Melissa and Katrina), under the direction of her father, Aaron. Rita’s beautiful, five-octave voice closely mimicked one of her favorite singers, the late Minnie Ripperton. Rita’s beautiful voice and gift of song parlayed into songwriting; Rita has over 100 volumes of inspirational and other songs to her credit. Rita attended Normandy Sr. High School, where her vivacious and lively personality endeared her to all of her friends. Rita was noticed by a local modeling agency, Judy Best Talent Agency, where she landed modeling jobs around the St. Louis area. In 1985, while he was visiting her church, Rita met the love of her life, Mr. Ramiro Diaz, Jr. and to this union seven beautiful children were born. Rita absolutely adored her children and called them her angels. As a mother, Rita fiercely loved her children and introduced them to Christ by teaching them the bible and attending church with them. In addition to nurturing and loving her children, Rita’s servant’s heart was extended to others. Rita served as care-giver for her father-in-law, Ramiro Diaz, Sr., family friends and countless others - even animals; Rita loved her animals, too. Rita loved to travel and called various places home over the years; however, she and her family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she settled and later transitioned. To know Rita was to love her. She absolutely loved to laugh, and she will be lovingly missed by all who knew her. Rita leaves in God’s care and to cherish her memories: her husband ~ Ramiro Diaz, Jr.; daughters ~ Lisa Marie and Gabriella; sons ~ Christopher, Carlos, Luis, Emilio and Mateo Diaz; parents ~ Aaron and Dorothy J. Leonard; brother ~ Nicklous; sisters ~ Gwendolyn (Cedric) Halbert, Melissa Goodlett and Katrina Cannon; six grandangels ~ Jordan, Josiah, Nevaeh, Scarlet, Nova and Ember; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, honorary children and friends.

Tributes

Rita Chantel Diaz

August 10, 1968 - August 11, 2024