Rita J. Rees

Rita J. (Walker) Rees, age 46, of Greeneville went home to be with her Lord on Monday, September 24, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. Her family states that she “fought the good fight”, “ran a good race” and most importantly “kept the faith” and has now received her eternal reward.

She was an inspiration and encouragement to all who were blessed to know her, especially during her illness. Her radiant smile and infectious laughter will be greatly missed.

She was the daughter of Billy Walker and the late Nancy Campbell Walker of the South Greene community. She was a 1984 graduate of South Greene high School.

She worked for the Sherwin-Williams Corporation where she served as manager of the Greeneville store for eighteen years. She loved people and particularly enjoyed assisting her clients with customized colors and interior and exterior design. In addition, she worked as co-manager of the former Bonanza Restaurant from 1988-1993.

She attended Victory Church of God where she served as teacher of the Discipleship Class as long as her health permitted.

She passionately read and studied the Word of God. She worked diligently to develop an updated Christian Resource Library at Greeneville First Church of God and served as librarian for a number of years. While serving there she also taught a Sunday School class for 5th and 6th graders and was a member of the JOY Group (Just Older Youth). She enjoyed southern gospel music and was a gifted songwriter. She liked quilts and traveling with her husband. She delighted in the beauty of God’s creation, especially flowers, birds and her beloved pet, “Miss Kitty”.

In addition to her mother, she is preceded in death by her sister, Lisa Waddell; her mother-in-law, Thelma “Bunnie” Feldhaus and a very special aunt, Gladys Walker.

In addition to her father, she is survived by her loving and faithful husband, Whitaker C. “Whit” Rees of Greeneville; sisters-in-law” Marjorie Sanders of Richmond, VA and Cheryl Seese of Mound, MN and her husband Ken; brothers-in-law: Tom Feldhaus of Mt. Dora, FL; Jim Feldhaus of Amarillo, TX and Bob Feldhaus and wife Lola of Salyersville, KY; three uncles and their wives: Elmer and Kay Walker; Edward and Lucy Walker and Henry and Elaine Walker all of Georgia; two great aunts: Veldeana Miller and Margie Malone of Greeneville; eleven special cousins and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 29 at 2:00 p.m. at Kiser-Rose Hill Chapel. Interment will follow in the Horse Creek Church of God Cemetery. The Rev. Jim Fillers will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers will be C.M. Cobble, Rev. Bobby Morrison, Lloyd Carter, Dr. Phil Collins, Leon Miller and Rev. Hal Kirk. Honorary pallbearers will be The Greeneville Gideons, Dennis Shipley, Willis and Kay Jones, Crusaders Class at First Church of God, Donaldean and Judy Miller, Jeff Arnold, Troy Latham and the Sherwin Williams staff, Caris Hospice Staff, Bruce and Freda St. Laurent, Phyllis Newby and Jerlee Ottinger, Gene and Sharon Barker, Rev. Leroy Oesch and Judith, Rev. Gerald and Ruth Rudd and Rev. Darrell and Chris Sovine, staff of the Health Barn; Rosalie Jones and other close neighbors.

The family extends their grateful appreciation to their many friends, pastors, churches and caregivers for their prayers and support during Rita’s illness. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon’s International Memorial Bible Chairman, Greeneville Gideon Camp, P.O. Box 672, Greeneville, TN 37744-0672.