Oxbow & Ashland--- Rita Ann Junkins Sherman, 89, died July 13, 2020 in Ashland. Born April 5, 1931, Rita was the youngest child of Leon and Eldora (Atkins) Junkins and raised on the family farm in OxBow.  She received her preliminary education at the OxBow East End School, and then traveled to Houlton where she attended both Ricker Classical Institute and Ricker College.  Rita was named Salutatorian of her 1948 Ricker class. Throughout school, Rita enjoyed her work at both the Houlton Drug Store and at WABM as a copywriter.  Later, Rita served as OxBow Plantation's Town Clerk for 40 years.

In 1953, Rita married Carl L. Sherman and raised a family of five children.  Their marriage lasted 50 years until the time of Carl's death in 2003.  Rita and Carl shared a love for the beauty and bounty of the North Maine Woods.  As newlyweds they lived and worked at Munsungun Lake.  That love of nature followed Rita throughout her life.  She enjoyed rides in the woods, fishing, canoeing, time at the River Camp, and most especially partridge season.  Rita was an avid and well-acclaimed partridge hunter.  She could be found hunting well into her seventies.

In addition to her parents and husband, Rita was pre-deceased by her brothers, Laurel (Jake), Stanley, and Lester Junkins, and her sister, Ruth McKee.

She is survived by her children: Steven and Judy Sherman of OxBow, Scott and Lisa Sherman of Masardis, Susan and John Beaulier of Ashland, Sharon and Nelson Craig, of Alton, and Sheila and Bill Nemer of Ashland.  She is also survived by her grandchildren and their families; Jennifer and Bill Theriault, Caitlin Sherman, Ashley and Tom Twombly, Nicholas, Heather, and Ezra Craig, Carl, Amber, Brantley, and Kennedy Nemer, and Jordan Beaulier and Shea Craig.

Rita will be remembered by all who knew her as an intelligent and independent woman, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and a generous, supportive friend.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at the Masardis Municipal Cemetery, Route 11, Masardis, with the Rev. Donald Morton presiding.   In light of COVID 19, please practice face masks and social distancing as we celebrate the life of Rita.   Please feel free to bring a lawn chair. In honor of Rita's love for reading, sometimes 4-5 books a week, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Ashland Community Library, PO Box 639, Ashland, ME 04732. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St./PO Box 39, Ashland.