Rita Delasbour (Hill)

Rita Delasbour (Hill) Rita, the third of six children, (Laura, Dan, Savanah, Rosemary, Patricia) of Lionel and Charlotte Mouton, was born in Houston at St. Elizabeth Hospital. She was raised in a loving Catholic family receiving her religious and academic instruction at St. Nicholas Catholic School in Houston, Texas. She was "Our Queen" long before it became analogous with a powerful black woman in today's social media society. Our soldier before Beyonce and Destiny's Child sung about it. She was, simply and sometimes sadly, a "one woman show." But oh, how she left her indelible mark on all who came to experience her presence. She was akin to Queen Sheba, because she always, "Asked the hard questions." You never had to wonder what she was thinking - because you WOULD get asked! She never bit her lips. And she ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS - when needed - would let you know exactly what was on her mind. Whether you liked it, or not. From Breaux Bridge, La., to Houston, Tx., to San Francisco, Ca. and back; and emblematic of a wartime General with no formal training in single mom parenting, she would go on to raise two very gifted, intelligent, and respectful Kyngs. She realized at a very early period in her life as a mother, that she would be tasked with raising two curious and inquisitive young boys. "Her boys." She would maintain strict but necessary demands and expectations that would go on to shape both of their lives. She raised them with a "soft, iron fist" that wasn't to be taken for granted. During a time when the nation was reeling from Vietnam and the war on drugs, she relied on her unwavering faith and set aside any personal goals and dreams she may have had for herself, to concentrate on providing "her two boys" with the best, safest, and loving atmosphere at home that she could. From catching the city bus to work at times, to trusting them later as teenagers with going out in their own personal vehicles. When that "soft, iron fist" became necessary, just ask Stephen what happened to his keys one time when he came in after the time she told him to be home! (She hid them!) "Our Queen" didn't play when it came to loving discipline. And it paid off handsomely for her and "her boys" in more ways than one. This ethic would go on to prove highly successful, and serve her well because her two young Kyngs were raised to succeed despite any and all circumstances in front of them. They both grew up to be entrepreneurial successes at early ages, and never forgetting where it all came from - that loving "soft iron fist." One, a decorated Firefighter, Fire Inspector, and Public Education Officer with the HFD, Captain Elmo "Noonie" Phillip Delasbour, Jr., who's now Resting in Perfection with GOD the FATHER in heaven; and was an owner/operator of numerous highly successful business ventures and entities. Known everywhere for his GIGANTIC smile and honored for his humanitarian efforts nationwide. The other, Stephen "Red" Delasbour, a well-respected national concert promoter and National NTR/Touring, Marketing Director for Radio/Urban One affiliates. Now on the marketing team with Godsey-Martin P.C./I Just Got Hit.com. She literally injected her business and parental standards into both of her son's heart and veins. Because of her extensive banking background as a bank teller and handling large sums of cash and checks, it was only natural that "Our Queen" would become the Chief Financial On-Site Officer for Stephen's (Partners Patrick Green, Ron Newton, and Andre Ceasar) first major success story, Across The Board Entertainment. Utilizing the same integrity and loyalty she instilled in "her boys," she would soon become very close - due to her affable and engaging personality while conducting business - with some of the world's leading musical artists and radio DJ's. On a first name basis, mind you. Those names and numbers are still in her phone to this day. She instilled a strong sense of "commitment to family" in them both. Not only local family, but out-of-town family as well. Everyone from Franklin, La., to New Iberia, La., to name just a few, was at one time "touched" by Noonie's generosity and love. Calling on his Aunt's, Uncle's, and cousins alike on many of the softball trips and tournaments he would participate in all over, just to see if they needed anything while he was in town. To attending one of his cousin's very first college football games in College Station with his son Mark, even though it was regionally televised in his home city of Houston. And Stephen would always make all of his events across the country that he was promoting, or wherever he was, accessible to his family. And that would also include a large meal at a restaurant he had set up after the event - all on him. You see, THAT'S that "Rita Delasbour-Hill effect" in action through "her boys." I'm sure most of you reading this have a story or two about that. "Our Queen" would want everyone to have smiles on their faces and would only ask that you do your best for the one(s) you love. Especially family. She would regularly call to check up on family. She LOVED to have a good time. Her smile is also legendary, along with her memorable laugh. She loved her LORD and Savior, JESUS CHRIST, with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She loved her Catholic Church. She served HIM well by devoting a lot of her free time to fellow senior citizens. Often sitting with them and coordinating events at the local YMCA. Simply, despite all, and with a built-in excuse mechanism if she chose that route due to the many curves and bumpy roads she encountered in her lifetime, she left this world with a "gifting, servants’ heart." Many were recipients of this gift along her path. Especially her two grandchildren - Leslie Philicia Delasbour, a graduate of St. Pius X HS in Houston, Tx. Leslie took her passion for broadcast journalism to Virginia where she would call Hampton University home for the next 4 years at the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications at HBCU, Hampton University in Hampton, Va. Leslie also interned at KHOU-TV Channel 11 in Houston while a student at Hampton. After graduation from the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications in 2019, she accepted an offer as a reporter in Ft. Myers, Fl. at WFTX-TV FOX 4, where she soon became a household name and a highly sought after reporter. She's presently an EMMY Award winning TV journalist at KSHB-TV Channel 41, an NBC affiliate in Kansas City, Mo. She's been "Kansas City's Network Queen" ever since 2021, and hasn't looked back since. Look for her on CNN - SOON! She's been busy making her father (Noonie) "happy in heaven." And let us not forget Barbershop Owner and operator, Mark Delasbour, Noonie’s first. This young entrepreneur has been cutting the hair of some of Houston's elite sports figures and musical stars for years. From Professional basketball players to Hip-Hop royalty, he's cut their hair a time or two. And he won't stop there. Rumor has it that he's planning a Mobile Salon and a Barber School! He's been a household name ever since he knew catering to the many hairstyle requests and appointments he could handle, would offer him the profession that grabbed hold of his passions since he was a teenager. He owes his zest and zeal to his late father and the many inspirational talks they would have. Guess you could say it runs in the family. Those are Rita's "GOD sent precious jewels." The fruit definitely didn't fall too far from the tree. There's no doubt that when "Our Queen" faced JESUS CHRIST at the gates of heaven on November 10th, HE echoed, "Well done my good and faithful servant." And that's a spiritual mantra that we ALL should pray to have repeated when it's our time to stand uprightly before our FATHER at the gates of Heaven! Rita was preceded in death by her late husband Romie Hill and son Elmo Delasbour, Jr., her parents Lionel & Charlotte Mouton, her siblings Savanah Mouton (Bee), Patricia Glaze (Pat), Laura Lane and Dan Mouton, and one niece, Paula (Nutty) Glaze and Kenneth Lane. Memories will be cherished by her son Stephen Delasbour (Debra), Nanette Delasbour (Daughter-In-Law), Mark and Leslie Delasbour (Grandchildren) and her remaining sister Rosemary Bowser. All of her Nieces and Nephews, Veronica Newton, Thomas Page (Sylvia), Charlotte, Cynthia (Duck), and Lionel Lane, Michael Mouton; Jocelyn Mouton, Cheryl Amosu (Seyi), Paulette Clark; Bobbie Jo Glaze (Wade), and all of her cousins, Great Grandchildren, Great Nieces, Great Nephews, and Friends. RIPerfection, Rita Delasbour-Hill. You did it! You made it home to that mansion CHRIST promised to all who believe. Until we all see you again, know that you were loved more than you know.

Rita Delasbour (Hill)

August 31, 1934 - November 10, 2023