Rita Simpson was Mike Stearns's younger sister, and Tom Simpson's wife. Although Mike and Tom were already good friends, Tom's parents John and Mary had made their disapproval of Rita clear. Additionally, the Ring of Fire came during their wedding reception in 2000, transferring the whole town of Grantville to 1631 Germany. Early on, Rita was one of the few women who could pass the strict physical requirements set by Frank Jackson for enlistment into the Army. Rita fought at the Battle of Jena.