Rita Stanaway

Rita Mae Stanaway (Ashley), 77, of Ramseur, North Carolina, passed away on December 28, 2023.

Born on May 18, 1946, in Sunbeam, Logan County, West Virginia, Rita was a strong-willed woman who always stood up for what she believed in. She had a keen business sense and selflessly shared her knowledge with others. While she could be opinionated, Rita loved her family dearly and always wanted the best for each of them. She dedicated her career to helping people find their family homes and became one of the best in her field within Hampton Roads, Virginia. In retirement, she found joy in the company of her pets and spent time outdoors, basking in the sunshine and admiring the birds.

Rita is survived by her daughters, Susan Bradley and Jill Dowdy (Mark), as well as her grandson, Joey Cooperman (Joesi) and granddaughters, Taylor McLean (Cody) and Rachel Dowdy. She is also survived by her great-grandsons, Onyx Cooperman and Rhett McLean. Rita is preceded in death by her father, Harlen Ashley, her mother, Louise Chaney Ashley, her brothers, Curtis (Dorothy), Delmar, Jim (Peggy), and Charles Ashley, and her sisters, Ann Couch (Ned) and Dorthy Lynn Schneider (John). She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Nelson and Brenda Ocheltree (Roger), and her brother, Bill Ashley (Brenda).

Rita graduated from Logan High School in West Virginia in 1964 and went on to attend Randolph College in Asheboro, North Carolina, where she studied Accounting, Business, and Real Estate. Throughout her career, she worked as a bank teller, auditor, and real estate broker, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

Rita worshipped at Antioch Baptist Church. She found solace and community in her faith.

In her free time, Rita enjoyed listening to music, reading, crime drama shows, talking with family and shopping on QVC.

For those who wish to pay their respects, a family gathering to celebrate Rita's life is planned for May 10-12, 2024.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Lydia's Place Shelter for Women and Families. Contributions can be sent to 114 Francis St., Asheboro, NC 27203. For inquiries, please contact (336) 628-0659 or email execdirector@lydiasplace.org. More information can be found at lydiasplacenc.org or on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lydiasplacenc/