Rita Elizabeth Pettus

Rita Elizabeth Newell Pettus, 70, passed away July 21, 2022 joining many loved ones who went on before her. She was born December 10, 1951 in Monroe, NC to Leonard W. Newell and Willa Yuline C. Newell. Funeral services for Rita will be held from the graveside at 3:00PM, Sunday, July 24, 2022 in the Newell Family Cemetery 6403 Waxhaw Hwy, Waxhaw, NC 28173. The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery. Rita cherished her family but above all, she loved her Lord and Savior spending timeless hours reading her Bible. She will be greatly missed but will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. After graduating from Parkwood High School, Rita attended Appalachian State University to become a school teacher. Staying in that profession for 30 years, she taught at Parkwood Middle School until retirement. She taught again for a short time at Central High School in Pageland, SC. She was married to Wayne Pettus on July 12, 1980. Rita is survived by her identical twin, Freida Edwards (Todd), sister, Nancy Helms (Mike), niece, Charity DiLallo (David), nephews, Matt Helms, Bert Giles (Megan), Chris Giles (Joanna), and sister-in-law, Linda G. Long (Bud). Rita was preceded by in death by her husband of 38 years, Wayne Stewart Pettus, sister, Mary Ann Sparrow (Bill), her parents, and brother- in-law, John Giles. Rita also leaves behind her beloved cat, Willa. Memorial contributes may be offered on behalf of Mrs. Pettus to St. Jude Children’s Research Hosptial, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959, www.stjude.org. Online condolences may be made to www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the Pettus family.