Rita Henrietta Jewell Blitch Broyles

A Visitation and Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday afternoon, January 6, 2025, with Visitation from 2:00-3:00 and Celebration of Life from 3:00-4:00 at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308.

Rita was born on September 30, 1937, in Columbia, South Carolina, to the late Nelson and Jewell Blitch of Tallahassee, Florida. She was the cherished sister of the late Elora Harwood and David Blitch.

She is survived by her three devoted sons:

• W. Kevin Broyles (Noelle): Their daughters, Candice Soffner (Louie) and Brianne Shoff (Nick), and one great grandchild.

• Edward David Broyles (Jane): Their sons, Dylan and Trevor (Hannah), and one great grandchild.

• Scott Douglas Broyles (Veronica): Their three children, Andrea Brander (Robert), Randall (Lisa), and Kristen Seneca (Keith), and eleven great grandchildren.

She is also survived by nieces and a nephew she dearly loved.

Rita was a longtime member of the Timberlane Church of Christ in Tallahassee. After moving to Marietta, Georgia, she joined the North River Church of Christ.

Rita graduated from Leon High School in Tallahassee in 1955 and pursued further education at Pensacola Junior College and Florida State University.

She enjoyed a fulfilling career as an accountant and bookkeeper, working for Jackson-Cook Inc. in Tallahassee for 28 years. Prior to that, she served as an optometric assistant for Dr. Edward K. Walker for seven years and continued private bookkeeping into her mid-80s.

Rita had an extraordinary zest for life and formed meaningful friendships wherever she lived. She thrived on crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and consistently besting anyone bold enough to challenge her at Scrabble, Rummikub, or Words With Friends. Her creative talents were also evident in the knitted and crocheted gifts she lovingly made for family and friends.

Above all, Rita was a loving mother who taught her sons independence, strength, determination, and the true meaning of unconditional love. Her unwavering faith, boundless kindness, and dedication to family and friends will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to one of Rita’s favorite charities – HOPEworldwide Marietta Chapter. https://hopeww.kindful.com/campaigns/282638

(designate North Georgia, Marietta Chapter) and Timberlane Church of Christ Preschool, 3569 Timberlane Rd. Tallahassee.