Rita Lynn Gilland

She was born in Fulton County, GA, to Marcus Varner and Lillian Daisy McClendon Whitlock. She graduated from Lakeshore High School and Clayton Junior College. In 1978, she married Oliver H. Gilland in Forest Park, GA.

She has lived in the Charlotte-area for the past 25 years. During that time she worked as an executive assistant to the President, CEO and CFO of Sree Hospitality for more than 20 years. For a time she was also the assistant to the office of Superintendent for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

She spent her life studying the Bible, teaching others about Jesus Christ and striving to live as an example of his love.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her mother; son, Trent Gilland and his wife, Megan, of Townsend, TN; sister, Joyce Small and her husband, Nelson, of Newnan, GA; brother, Michael Whitlock and his wife, Susan, of York, SC; brother-in-law, C.A. Gilland and his wife, Loretta, of Maryville, TN; sisters-in-law, Frances Brackin of Townsend, TN, and Lois Jackson of Maryville, TN; step-daughters, Lori (husband, Bill) Dockter of Alcoa, TN, and Amanda (husband, Michael) Singleton of Maryville, TN; grandchildren, Kenda Roberts of Knoxville, TN, and Kayla (husband, Noah) Bachman, Christian Singleton and Kallie Singleton, all of Maryville, TN; great-granddaughter, Paisley Bachman of Maryville, TN; nephew, Jarred Whitlock and his wife, Bethany, of Decatur, GA; and niece, Rachel Whitlock of Clemson, SC. She was preceded in death by her father, her niece, Kimberly Small, and her nephew, Jeffrey Small.

A visitation to celebrate her life will be held in Maryville, TN, on Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Smith Funeral and Cremation Service. A graveside gathering will follow at Grandview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1901 Brunswick Avenue, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28207.

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, NC.