The Hamilton County Democratic Party released a statement Thursday honoring its first female leader, Rita Fehring, who died of cancer the day before.
Fehring, 62, was elected county party chairman in November 1993 after an unsuccessful run for the Chattanooga City Council in 1990. She later was president of the Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women’s Club, and earned the Kefauver Award for service to the party.
The Democratic Party statement called Fehring “a great lady and wonderful friend” who was “a Democrat’s Democrat.”
“Rita was passionate and tenacious in her commitment to getting Democrats elected,” the statement read. “… Those of us who served along side Rita in the Democratic Party share a wealth of fond memories and fun stories. The Hamilton County Democratic Party mourns the loss of Rita’s friendship and support. We salute a truly phenomenal person. You are greatly missed Rita.”