Rita Ann (Porter) Brunson

A Charlotte native, born to Warren Porter and Kate Mayhew Porter, was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Marion Pete Brunson, Jr., who shared with her the suffering, premature loss of daughters Marion Daphne Brunson Merritt, Rebecca Anne Brunson and also her granddaughter Rebecca Anne Merritt. Rita was also predeceased by her parents, brother Warren Porter, Jr. and sister Gail Lewis Abbott.

After the birth of her four children, Rita completed her education by graduating from UNC Charlotte.

She then had a long, rewarding career teaching English at Olympic High School in Charlotte and a few years at Lancaster High School in South Carolina, and impressively completed her Masters Degree in Education at the age of 50.

Her children and family came first in her life and she cherished every moment she could spend with them. She had a long life that was well lived, which included the priority of traveling to her home away from home, Windy Hill Beach SC as often as possible.

Rita loved singing and playing the piano and was a choir member of Waxhaw Methodist Church. She also loved reading, collecting and selling antiques. She could often be found happily socializing and crocheting at her daughter Elizabeth’s knitting shop, Tangles, that she would walk to on a regular basis until the last year of her life.

She will be sorely missed by many including her daughter Elizabeth Brunson Climer, son-In-Law Steve Climer of Waxhaw, son Daniel Peter Brunson, daughter-in-law Julianne Gold Brunson of Charlotte; grandchildren Anna Katherine Brunson of Greensboro, David Merritt (wife Abigail) of Durham, Michael Merritt (wife Dana) of Raleigh; great grandchildren Joshua, Jacob and William Parker Merritt of Raleigh, and William and Wyatt Merritt of Durham, along with many nieces, nephews and countless friends she made in her lifetime.

We would like to thank the caregivers at White Oak Manor Lancaster, SC for being so kind and attentive to our mother’s needs and comfort over the past year.

The family will greet friends from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on Wednesday April 3rd, 2024 at Waxhaw United Methodist Church located at 200 McDonald Street, Waxhaw, NC. Funeral service will begin at noon. A 3pm burial will be alongside Rita's beloved husband, two daughters and mother and father-in-law at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Waxhaw United Methodist Church General Fund, 200 McDonald Street, Waxhaw, NC 28173, the Humane Society or charity of your choice.