Rita Sue Winters, 87, of High Point, NC, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Pennybyrn. She was born February 8, 1939, in Portsmouth, Ohio, a daughter of the late Frank Stanley and Couza (Rigsby) Elam. She was a 1956 graduate of Clay High School and married the love of her life, Sam in October of that same year. She was a Hairdresser at Rita’s Salon of Beauty in Bexley, Ohio. Rita’s faith was an important part of her life, most recently she was a member of Mt. Pisgah Church in Greensboro, NC and was previously a member of Paradise Valley Church in Scottsdale, AZ. There she was actively involved with the Sagauros Group for twenty years. Throughout her 87 years, Rita touched the lives of everyone around her with a fun-loving, spunky attitude, an eye for style with her love of clothes, jewelry and especially shoes. After spending the first few years of marriage in Southern Ohio, she spent most of her years in Gahanna, Ohio before moving to Scottsdale, AZ in 1999 and on to North Carolina in 2021. She remained loyal and proud of Clay High School and returned numerous times over the years for class reunions.
Left to cherish her memories are her daughter, Veronica “V” Winters-Everly; her son, Sam Winters III (Debbie); two grandchildren, Nicole (Tim) Carey, Stephanie Winters, and five great-grandchildren, Hudson Carey, Elam Carey, Avenell Carey, Tessa Carey, and Joselynne Winters along with many special nieces and nephew. Rita’s heart was spacious and generous to her family and friends which also included the furry family members, but especially Dusty and Daisy.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of forty-four years, Samuel Edward Winters, Jr.; two grandchildren, Noah Winters-Everly, McKenna Winters-Everly; and two brothers, George Elam and Paul Elam.
Although small in stature, Rita Sue shared abundant love, leaving a legacy of her enduring strength and faith.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2026 at Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford, Ohio with her nephew, Joe Elam officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Franklin Furnace after the conclusion of the service. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10:30 to 11:30 with the service immediately following visitation. Online condolences may be sent to www.edafh.com.
