Rita Elizabeth Tuttle

Rita Elizabeth Tuttle, 83, of Elkin, formerly of King, peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026 surrounded by her family at the SECU Hospice House to join her beloved husband Gene in Heaven.

Rita was born in Forsyth County on May 21, 1943 the daughter of the late James Otto Tuttle and Ocea Allen Tuttle.

Mrs. Tuttle was a secretary/reading coordinator for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System. Some of her favorite hobbies and past-times included; camping with Gene, her flowers, gardening and hummingbirds, shopping at Hamricks, reading and music, volunteering with the King Public Library, spending time with her family and friends, and talking with others about her Lord and Savior.

In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her husband Gene and daughter Sandi Tuttle Messick. Survivors include her daughter Sonja (John) Creason, grandchildren Andrew (Jessi) Vawter, Ashleigh (Emma) Soto, and Joshua Tilley, great granddaughter, Tessa Vawter, sister Linda (William) Bowman and her special nieces.

The family will greet friends on Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at New Testament Baptist Church, 600 Spainhour Rd, King, NC 27021. A funeral service celebrating Rita’s life will be conducted at 12:00 pm at the church, Rev. Fred Barton and Pastor William Bowman will officiate. Burial will conclude the services at Crestview Memorial Park, 6850 University Pkwy, Rural Hall, NC 27045.

The family wishes to extend their thanks and gratitude to the Memory Care Unit at Hugh Chatham Nursing and Rehab Center, the ICU Staff at Hugh Chatham Hospital, and the staff of the SECU Hospice Facility, and to all the helpers along the way.

Those wishing to make memorials are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Gentry Family Funeral Service of Jonesville is proudly serving the Tuttle family.