Rita Christie

Rita Carolyn Christie, born September 28, 1943, in Hickory, N.C., was a reliable, dedicated, smart, and loving woman whose journey on this earth concluded on June 5, 2026. Also known as Rita Settlemyre in her birthplace, she was a pillar of the Connelly Springs community, her home and heart's residence, widely recognized for her commitment to the medical field and her devotion to her family. Rita's life was a tapestry of service and care, knitted together by her love for people and her passion for knowledge.

A registered nurse by profession, Rita spent her career tirelessly caring for the sick and vulnerable. Her smart and reliable nature was a beacon of comfort and assurance to countless patients, while her dedication saw her teaching CNA's at the local community college following her retirement. An avid reader, Rita found joy and solace in the pages of crime and forensic novels; her love for the written word was only surpassed by her love for her family and her dedication to her profession. Her life was an embodiment of the Methodist teaching found in Proverbs 31:26, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

Rita is survived by her loving sons and spouses, Andy and Dawna, Tim and Jana, and Lyn and Robyn Christie, all of whom she loved dearly and was immensely proud of. She also leaves behind a brother Everette Settlemyre, grandchildren; Charity, Tiffany, Carol Ann, Alexis, Megan, Jordan, Ava, William and 11 loving great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Christie; her siblings, Marjorie Crafton and Shelley Settlemyre Jr., and her parents, Shelley Sr. and Della Settlemyre. In Rita, we remember a loving mother, a dedicated community servant, a smart healthcare provider, and a reliable friend. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us, her memory etched in our hearts forever.

Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care is honored to serve the family and friends of Rita Carolyn Christie.