Rita D. Williams

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ethel Dawson, her father Lional Dawson, and her brothers Hartwell, Cleburn, and Darlee.

She is survived by her husband Durwood Williams; her daughter Gail Johnson and husband Barry, her sons Garthae and wife Sheila, Larry, Roger and wife Michelle, Jeffrey and wife Kathryn; her granddaughter Amy Johnson Daley and husband Patrick; granddaughters Crystal, Amber, Natalie, and Madison, her grandsons Nicholas, Bradford, Zachary and Dawson; and her great granddaughter Piper Daley and great grandson James Daley; Mrs. Cleburn Dawson (Willie) and nephews, Mark Dawson his wife Mareon and Reid Dawson his wife Lynn; Susan Dawson Gardner husband, Christopher and their son Cameron; and Mrs. Hartwell Dawson; and nephew Robert Dawson McDonald, his wife Gail, and their son Paul and grandchildren.

She was educated at East Carolina Teachers College where she graced its May Day Pageant as beauty queen.

A career Air Force wife, Rita dedicated her life to serving God, family, and country – nurturing and guiding her mobile family on a lifelong Christian journey of beauty and joy. She earned and enjoyed love and respect from husband and family, from church fellowships and friends from many diverse communities.

On the homebound leg of her life’s journey, an inability to prepare lessons for her Summer Bible School classes indicated the onset of Alzheimer’s that, in time, claimed her life.

Visitation will be held on Friday August 24, from 7:00-9:00 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday August 25, at Hayes Barton Baptist Church. Interment to take place at Arlington National Cemetery, at a later date.

Condolences and special memories can be shared at www.MitchellatRMP.com.