Rila Jean Archer passed away on December 6, 2023, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield,
Missouri following complications from ongoing serious health issues. Even at the last, Rila
showed humor so characteristic of her, expressed her love to those closest to her, and
confirmed her faith through her peace and readiness to meet her Jesus.

Rila was preceded in death by her parents, Riley and Lucile Archer, her stepbrother Royal (Roy)
and her beloved, Robert St. Clair. She is survived by her dearest friend of 53 years, Ramona
Andrews, her cousin, Patsy Caraway of Washington State, nephews Gilbert and Drexel, and
many other close friends whom she cherished.

Born on December 21,1953 in Springfield, Rila spent her early years growing up in Ava,
Missouri before the family returned to Springfield. She graduated from Billings High School and
attended MidAmerica Nazarene University and then Southwest Missouri State University, where
she received her bachelor's degree.

Rila began her Social Work career at Cox North Hospital. While working at Missouri
Rehabilitation Center in Mt. Vernon, Rila received her Master of Social Work in 1995 from the
University of Missouri at Columbia. She eventually added to her credentials, receiving the
prestigious Diplomate of Psychotherapy from the American Psychotherapy Association.

Rila spent her professional career advocating for the hundreds of clients she worked with over
the years. Early on, she was a medical social worker at the Missouri Rehabilitation Center,
working primarily with ventilator patients. Rila eventually became the Director of the Social Work
Department and was highly respected by her staff and colleagues.

Rila left the Rehab Center in 1998 to open her own private practice, Tri-County Counseling, in
Mt. Vernon, serving the mental health needs of Lawrence County and the surrounding
communities for approximately 12 years. She invested her life in helping those in need, and will
be well-remembered by the many children, adults, and elderly clients she worked with through
the years.

Upon her retirement from private practice, Rila pursued her dream of writing, producing, and
recording Christian music. Over the past several years, she released numerous CDs of her
music, which she fervently prayed would bless people and draw them closer to the Lord she
loved so much. Rila's faith was her firm foundation, and she loved sharing her testimony with
others. She accepted people as they were, and by doing so, was able to point many to Christ.

Rila loved many things: boating, fishing, and animals of all kinds, especially her horses, dogs
and cats. Music was a significant part of her life from early childhood on, and in recent years
she was excited to learn how to play the ukulele and be a member of Ukulele Revival, a hymnbased
performing group.

When Rila and friend Ramona moved to a farm in the mid 1990s, they named it "Double A
Acres" (for Archer and Andrews). Rila loved tending their garden and "tractoring" around the
farm on her Ferguson tractor.

Rila was passionate, fierce and full of spunk. She had a deep sense of justice and fought for
those who needed an advocate. She had a sense of humor that kept those around her laughing
all the time. She was truly one-of-a-kind.

Her memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2023, at One Life
Church, 3245 S. Kansas Ave. in Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to local animal rescue organizations
Watching Over Whiskers (watchingoverwhiskers.org) or Rescue One
(rescueonespringfield.com).

Online condolences may be made at klingnerfuneralhome.com.