Harriett Mizelle

Harriett Alvareta “Rita” Weaver Mizelle passed over Wednesday April 16, 2014. The oldest child of Minnie and Jesse Frank Weaver, Rita grew up in Williamston NC on her parents dairy farm and married David Cowan Mizelle from Windsor NC in 1938. She is survived by their 3 children, Jeanne Mizelle Horton of Ayden NC, Suzanne Mizelle of Santa Fe New Mexico, and David Mizelle Jr and Kim Mizelle of Munroe Falls Ohio. 8 grandchildren are scattered across the USA- Tracey Stallings of Norfolk VA, Mark & Vicki Stallings of Cary NC, Tricia & Bill Boston of Kill Devil Hills NC, , David Everett & Amy of Gainesville VA, Jennifer Everett of Manteo NC, Alva Jeanne Horton of Ayden NC, Sauron Chartier of San Diego CA, and Brittney Mizelle of Columbus OH, along with their families and blessings of 14 great grandchildren.

Rita and Dave lived in several states when they were young eventually settling in Elizabeth City NC to raise their children, and attending the First Baptist Church there. In 1965 they purchased the iconic Nags Head Fishing Pier on the Outer Banks and lived there until his death in 2002. Rita adored the Outer Banks and the life there. An avid gardener, she took on the challenge of seaside gardening, recording in her photos and writings, the flora and fauna she loved so dearly. She was inspired to write a book “Encounter With The Toothache Tree” about a rare specimen growing there. No surprise that the call of nature and the outdoors kept her not only in her garden, but on the putting greens of the Duck Woods Golf Club. As a charter member her

competitive spirit really shone, but it was standing on the shore, pole in hand, where Rita was the most alive and in her element… fishing. With passion and skill she reeled in numerous awards with the” Frail Quails” and ”She Devils” fishing teams, and a place on the roster of world records. She was credited with landing a whopping 24 lb. 8 oz. Bluefish, the largest ever caught by a woman in the Nags Head surf, no easy feat. That was in 1971 when she was 54 years old.

Long before the Outer Banks was the tourist mecca it is today, she was writing about the lure of its dunes and charm. Her photographs and articles appeared in local and national publications – Field and Stream, Sports Afield, The Coastland Times and The Surfside News and several others.

Her legacy is that, not only of a self-proclaimed “tomboy”, but of a true”southern belle”, tenacious with a will of iron, a tender heart and the strength and beauty of a “Steel Magnolia”. She will be deeply missed.

The family wants to acknowledge her caregivers, doctors, neighbors, and friends for their love and concern, in particular: Solliah and Chuck Bryant, Sonia Pearsal, Debra Pearce, Anne and Laverne Roberson, and the staff at Carolina House and Golden Living Center.

A visitation will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Memorial Baptist Church with funeral service to follow at 12:00 PM . The service will conclude at Woodlawn Cemetery.