Rita (Wilson) McElwaine

Rita Wilson McElwaine, age 89, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday October 15, 2024 at the Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas, NC.  She was born in Gaston County, daughter of the late Gurley and Eva (Waters) Wilson.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 34 years Dan McElwaine; her children: Danny,  , and Michael McElwaine, her grandson Daniel McElwaine and her daughter in law Donna McElwaine; her 2nd husband Vance Cheek, as well as her siblings Bill, Betty, Jerry, Joe, Libby, and Tony.  

Rita spent her life as an entrepreneur and operated several successful businesses including Tiny Tot Nursery School, Shack Shop, All Occasion Flowers, and C & M Realty all in Mount Holly. Faith was an important part of her life and she served the Lord in many different ways.  She was a former active member of Second Baptist Church in Mount Holly where she sang in the Choir and taught Sunday school for many years and was also an active member at First Methodist Church in Mount Holly.  Rita was a member of the Order of The Eastern Star and also served as the head of the Democratic Women of Gaston County.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter Sonja Johnson (Mitch); her grandchildren: Michael McElwaine Jr. (LeighAndra), Casey McElwaine (Brittanie), Stevi Wike (Justin Verwey),Tyler McElwaine (April), Drew Johnson (Tonya), and Chad Johnson (Taylor) ; her great grandchildren: Bennett, Sawyer, Currie, Roman, Bradley, Ruby, and Witten, as well as her special friend Jerry Gordon.  

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 P.M on Saturday October 19, 2024 at First United Methodist Church in Stanley with Pastor Brian Elwell officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M on Saturday also at the Church.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you perform an act of kindness for someone in Rita's honor.

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