Rita Marie Armistead

Rita Marie Pool Armistead, aged 90, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born on May 28, 1934, in Greenville, South Carolina, to Grace Shanley Pool and William Thomas Pool, Rita was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Kindness was her watch word. She was a faithful, gentle soul who led by example. Rita was a self-proclaimed “worry wart” who always arrived early, and prepared. She read widely and was a master of the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle. She was a gifted pianist. Possessor of a delightful, musical laugh. She was many, many wonderful things in a long and beautiful life.

Rita grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and graduated from Furman University with a degree in Chemistry. She began her career as a medical technologist at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, where her meticulous care and compassion touched many lives.

Her love for music was an essential part of her life. Rita was part of a proud lineage of piano teachers on her mother's side.. She performed at a young age in Greenville, South Carolina, and played all her life, as an accompanist, as her church’s pianist, later serving as the music teacher at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Lakeland, Florida for several years. She was an active part of the music community, and when she was with musicians, she was with her tribe. She enjoyed playing Bach and was a nuanced and sensitive interpreter of Chopin and Debussy.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Davenport Armistead, M.D. Together, they raised four children: Mary Katherine Brands (Alan), William Spencer Armistead (Lori), Martha Claire Kinyon (John), and Judith Shanley Fitzpatrick (Shawn). Rita cherished her eleven grandchildren: Jack Kinyon, James Kinyon, Eric Kinyon, Paul Kinyon (Maddie), William Kinyon (Becca), Grace Brands, James Brands, Katherine Fitzpatrick, William Armistead, Harrison Armistead, and Anne Francis Armistead.

She is also survived by her loving siblings, Ruth Patricia Pool Moore (James, deceased) and William Thomas Pool (Jeri) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of her life will be held on February 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Greenville, SC, with burial to follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation or the charity of your choice in her honor.