Rita Crocker Clements

Rita Crocker Clements (October 30, 1931 – January 6, 2018) was an American Republican Party organizer, an activist in historic preservation, and a First Lady of the U.S. state of Texas.

Early life

She was born in Newton, Kansas, on October 30, 1931, to rancher and political activist Mason Crocker and his wife Florabel. by 1958, she had risen to Republican Party precinct chairman in Dallas County. Clements was appointed to the Republican National Committee in 1973. From 1972 to 1975 she was a member of the National Advisory Council for Economic Opportunity.

Serving as First Lady of Texas during the two non-consecutive terms (1979–1983 and 1987–1991) of her husband Governor Bill Clements, she was a key strategist in each of her husband's election campaigns. During her husband's second term in office, Clements contributed to the campaign to have the 1888 Texas Capitol restored. On news of her death, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush released a statement of condolence, acknowledging Clements' strength and service to the state of Texas.

Honors and awards Clements received the Miss Ima Hogg Special Award from the Winedale Society and the Ruth B. Lester Award from the Texas Historical Commission for her work on heritage preservation.

In 2007, the Texas State History Museum Foundation bestowed former Governor and Rita Clements with the History-Making Texan Award. In 2009 the couple were recipients of the Santa Rita Award for their contributions to the University of Texas System.