Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Rita is a sought-after women’s speaker, writer, and teacher. Her father was a minister of the gospel who spent many years working and traveling with Marshall Keeble. Like her daughter, Rita’s mother was also a sought-after ladies Bible class teacher and speaker. One of six Cato children, Rita studied at David Lipscomb from first grade through college, ultimately receiving her degree in education. After graduation, she taught middle school for 25 years. Following her career in the classroom, Rita began working as the Director of Womenâs Ministry at the Church of Christ in Green Hills, a position she continues to hold today.
Married to Michael Cochrane, who serves as an elder in the church, Rita is mother to three adult children, grandmother to six rambunctious boys, and has been âAmerican Momâ to four international students.
In addition to Ritaâs duties in womenâs ministry, Rita speaks and teaches Bible classes. She has served as the keynote speaker for multiple womenâs events, including the annual Women of Hope Conference in Middle Tennessee as well as the Summer Celebration Lipscomb University Lectureship. She speaks regularly for womenâs events, Bible classes, ladies’ days, and other conferences. She has also delivered addresses for ladies’ day events in four foreign countries and writes a weekly email devotional that reaches more than 500 women each week.
With hobbies that range from cooking to power walking, Rita uses her varied interests to see God in every moment of her day. Whether it’s being Nana to her six grandsons or visiting other continents, Rita is able to relate her everyday situations to the myriad ways all of us can strengthen our faith as we strengthen the kingdom of God.
Rita skillfully weaves humorous and personal stories from her life into her writing and teaching. To date, Rita has written two Bible studies: Lace Up Those Sneakers and Untying Yesterday’s Knots. Pick up both books at 21stcc.com.
Be on the lookout for Untying Yesterday’s Knots accompanying video series that releases soon. Check out a sneak peek now.