Annie Marie "Rita" Carter Chandler, 94, died Friday March 27, 2026, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston Salem.

She was born August 21, 1931, in Davie County, to the late Jessie May Shumate and Sidney Crosit Carter.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings, Magdalene Carter Whitaker, Allie J. "Buck" Carter and Nellie Mae Carter Curlee (twins), Lee B. Carter, Pearly L. "June" Carter Jr., and Rita's twin brother who died at birth.

Survivors include her sister, Gail Carter Frye; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and a great-great-nephew.

Rita grew up in Franklin, NC and lived there for years where her family operated a country store. As a very young lady she worked at Uniform Express in Salisbury, later at Carolina Lingerie where she met her previous husband and married in 1963. She moved to Mocksville and Rita started her life calling career of keeping children in her home. Rita then moved to Catawba County and lived there also keeping children while there for several years. She moved back to Mocksville and there kept many children over the years. Rita kept over 100 total.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Mathis Chapel Baptist Church in Catawba County in 1983, and shared Christ with the children she kept and others over the years. After she moved back to Mocksville, she attended Davie Baptist Church and for 5 years, helped Jean Keaton with Children's Worship Hour. Rita also helped with AWANA. She joined Hope Baptist Tabernacle in Mocksville, and has been a member there for 35 years meeting and making some lifelong friends there. Rita was thankful for all of those who helped her out in her later years and wanted to recognize them as her church members and Pastor Chris Cantrel, Judy McClamrock, Angelia and Justin Hendren, her sister Gail Frye, Steve Whitaker, Judy and Stephanie Whitaker, Melinda Phillips, Jamie White, Joshua Wood, and David Rabon, all of her nieces and nephews, and more.

Rita enjoyed making crafts, learned Japanese embroidery, painting small figurines and making cards and Christmas wreaths in her spare time. Later in life she enjoyed watching FOX news and Dr. David Jerimiah when she was no longer able to attend her church.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 29, at Hope Baptist Tabernacle, with Pastor Chris Cantrell officiating. The family invites friends to visit with them at the church, one hour prior to the service.  A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 31, at Rowan Memorial Park, Salisbury.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be considered Advocacy Center c/o First Presbyterian Church, 261 S. Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028.

Online condolences www.lambertfuneralhomenc.com