Rita Thompkins Rich

Rita was born in Cumberland County, NC on August 25, 1951, and was the daughter of Buford and Maxine McLamb Thompkins. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Leland where she made prayer shawls and was known as the “Hat Lady”. She was a volunteer for the Red Cross and schools. She received the ACS award from the Army for her volunteer service. Rita was active in the Red Hat Society and the Eastern Star. She was an avid bingo player and enjoyed fishing. She loved her family and her dog, Max.

Along with her parents, Rita is preceded in death by her brothers, Leonard Eagan and Ricky Raynor; sisters, Patsy Keisler and Rhoda Swanson.

Rita is survived by her husband, James “Jim” Rich of Winnabow, NC; daughters, Jimmie Howell (Lora) and Tamatha “Tami” Moose (Bobby) both of Winnabow; brothers, Jerome “Butch” Eagan (Tina) of Cypress, TX, H.B. Thompkins (Sissy) of Myrtle Beach, SC, Robert Bonner of Guilford, MS, John Hofheinz (Donna) of Tallahassee, FL; sisters, Brenda Holland (Bernie) of Raeford, NC; grandchildren, Danielle Taylor (Christian), Travis Pittman II (Bailey), Isaac Moose; and great-grandchildren, Bennett Pittman and Avery Pittman.

Funeral Services will be held at ten o’clock in the morning on Monday, August 4, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Leland with Rev. Mark Edwards presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers serving will be Lora Howell, Bobby Moose, Isaac Moose, Travis Pittman, John Goldsmith, and Christian Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Bennett Pittman and Avery Pittman.

Family Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the White Funeral and Cremation Service Chapel in Bolivia, NC and also on Monday after the funeral service at the home of the daughter, Jimmie Howell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Cape Fear Hospice or the DAV.

Online condolences may be offered to the Rich family at www.funeralservicessupply.com.