Rita Jane (Carter) Cunningham

Rita Jane (Carter) Cunningham, 80, of Vinton, Virginia, (formerly of Beckley, West Virginia) passed away peacefully Friday afternoon at the home of her daughter. In her earlier years Rita frequently enjoyed playing bingo and keeping a garden and throughout her life she was an avid reader and loved spending time with her family. She was an extraordinary sister, mother, and grandmother who was outspoken and always made time for a phone call for her loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lola and Jesse Underwood, her grandson Christopher (Chris) Covey, and several brothers and sisters. Those left to cherish her memory include her sisters Nancy Sanders of Vinton, Virginia, Sue Underwood of Vinton, Virginia, and Karen Underwood of Roanoke, Virginia; as well as her children, her daughter Brenda (Debbie) Covey of Mabscott, West Virginia, her daughter Pamela (Pam) Carter and husband Brian Shelton of Saint Albans, West Virginia, her son Thomas (Bosco) Carter and wife Dellrenda of Shady Spring, West Virginia, and her daughter Arminta (Missy) Reilly of Mocksville, North Carolina. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Lola (Bubbles) Moore, Frankie (Frank) Covey, Sarah Donnally, Dylan Reilly, Chelsea Reilly, Chase Reilly, and Levi Reilly along with eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

A service to Celebrate the life of Rita Jane Cunningham will be held 1:00PM Thursday, April 13, 2023 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley. Following the service Rita will be laid to rest at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

Friends may gather with the family from 12:00PM until time of the service Thursday at the funeral home.