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Today's Featured Biography
Rita Pyle Davis
I am a Child of the King, mother of one son, Jason (age 27--and my bonafide genius), Gramma to one beautiful grandson, Andrew, daughter of David Pyle. I am divorced, twice now, from Chris Wallace (Class of 1979) and Kenneth Davis (Atlanta, GA) and still friends with both. Go figure. I am retired for health reasons (pancreatitis, diabetes, complications of diabetes--the gift that keeps on giving--LOL).
I get by with a little help from my friends, my family, my church family, and of course and above all, God.
I have had four successful carers: I majored in accounting at SAU finishing a 4 year degree in 3 years (1983), passed the CPA exam, and practiced for a bit. I became controller of our family business which grew to be a nice, comfortable small business. In 1985, with the partnership of Larry Burns, we spun a new business off my dad's business and begin to sell software nationwide to businesses who did what we did (rent-to-own industry). It was during this time, I became a single mother, divorcing Chris Wallace (class of 79) and remained in the DWF category for 9 years,
I did a LOT of high profile work (national trade association, teaching seminars, writing articles, advising on financial cases--coaching expert witnesss, and more) within that industy for the next 7 years, and as a result, made many friends and contacts all over the country. When my grandparents became sick and depenendent, I returned to the family business.
With my dad's leave of absence, I co-managed this company with my brother-in-law, Steve Hardy for the next 7 years. I was considered and labeled "Co-Vice President Operations" but did EVERY job one could do in th busines from meetings with bankers and sellers and employees to loading, unloading trucks, and cleaning the occasional toilet. I didn't mind--I wanted our family of employees to see that the "powers that be" were willing to perform ANY task we might ask of them. Finally, in 1996, I would meet a salesman at a buying-trade show and fall in love. He lived in Atlanta, GA so I kissed the family and the family biz goodbye and started my next career: a wife and stepmother to two teenage daughters, on top of my duties as a single mother to my teenage son, in a far-away land: Atlanta, GA. Co-parenting is stressful when you are a 'step' and it's more like one of those reality shows as opposed to the Brady Bunch. Trust me.
After a year of life in Atlanta, GA as a stay-at-home mom and wife and stepmom, I accepted a position with Lawson Software, a large software company with multi-million, multi-billion dollar corporations. I was a financial applications consultant---meaning, I taught CPAs and financial staff people how to use my company's software to its maximum advantage to them. It was fun, stressful, and rewarding. I was BLESSED to be employed by Lawson when my health failed because we had disability insurance through Lawson. I knew what this was--having been an employer myself--but never dreamed I would need it. I was forced to retire early.
These days, I have more than semi-retired, doing things as I feel able. More like PROJECTS that interest me. I am once again a DWF, having given up my life in Atlanta in 2004 to come home. I was sick and needed the help from my family, not wanting to force my genius son, hottest programmer hotshot--graduated with highest honors from Georgia Tech (among other accomplishments--I'm SO proud of him). Thanks to my son, Jason, and his wife, Mariah, I am not just a DWF-mother--I had a recent promotion: I am a grandmother, "Gramma" to Andrew who is now 2. And lives in Atlanta, GA. I miss them every single day with every breath I take.
I broke my shoulder 2 years ago (pile on more surgeries and medications to what I already must live with) and ended up with a metal one. Cool, huh? Nah, not really!
I need something to do these days so I'm looking into philanthropic work on the internet, perhaps fund raising--beginning with my own bank account: I'm studying investing. I think I would like to fund some Christian ministries.
I pretty much rest between gigs now (I am a Fox News junkie!). I am blessed and have enjoyed numerous opportunities to share many things in my life that might help someone else--skills, contacts, experience, and once in a while, money.
I'd like to meet somebody to spend what is left of the rest of my life with and I'm working on that, too! LOL However, living in Magnolia, again, makes that real challenge (as all of my fellow classmates must know!)
Rita Pyle Wallce Davis
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