Rita Agnes Lohman

Rita Agnes Lawhead Lohman passed away at 92 years of age on July 25, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born to Carl Malcolm Lawhead Sr. and Dorothy Matilda McKenzie Lawhead on July 23, 1932 in Blair County, PA. Known to many as Granny, Rita was known for always feeling cold. That may have been because all of her heat went into her love for God, her community, and her family. Anyone who set foot in her home, whether it was in Turkey, Alaska, New York or Holly Springs, was treated like a member of her humongous family. Rita married Bill on September 19, 1952 and traveled around the world with their family at the direction of Bill’s career in the Air Force until they finally made their home in Holly Springs. She was a devout Catholic, attending mass every Sunday at Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Cary with her late husband, Bill. They also enjoyed square dancing all over the world together. She also loved working in her garden and sewing everything from beloved stuffed animals for her grandchildren to their annual matching Halloween costumes. Rita is survived by her children Laura Lee Paolantonio (Edmund), Billie Jean Hodges, Sue Christine Simkiss (William), Daniel Christopher Lohman (Chris), Nancy Marie Doulin (Daniel), Andrew Eugene Lohman (Karen), Julia Ann Lohman, John Charles Lohman (Jessica) and Lillian Marie Cole (Andy) as well as her 19 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Patty Ann and Ron Angus for their extraordinary support to the family through Rita’s final years. Rita was predeceased by her husband, William Henry Lohman Sr., parents, Carl Malcolm Lawhead and Dorothy Matilda McKenzie Lawhead, siblings Carl Malcolm Lawhead Jr., Donald Eugene Lawhead, James Francis Lawhead, Mary Jane Lawhead (Muller) and Patricia Anne Lawhead (Newton), son William Henry “Billy” Lohman Jr., son-in-law William Dale Talbert and grandson Aaron Henry Cole. Flowers would be appreciated by the family. Donations can also be made in Rita’s name to the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral (http://raleighcathedral.org/giving). The reception of friends and service will be held on Friday, August 2nd at Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 804 High House Road, Cary NC 27513. The reception of friends begins at 10:15 a.m., and the service begins at 11 a.m. The committal service will follow mass at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh NC 27612.

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