Rita Lynn Gilland

Rita Lynn Gilland, of Mint Hill, NC, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, August 16, 2014, after a life devoted to the Lord and her family. She was born in Fulton County, GA, to Marcus Varner and Lillian Daisy McClendon Whitlock. She graduated from Lakeshore High School and Clayton Junior College. In 1978, she married Oliver H. Gilland in Forest Park, GA. She has lived in the Charlotte-area for the past 25 years, where she worked as an executive assistant to the President, CEO and CFO of Sree Hospitality. She spent her life studying the Bible, teaching others about Jesus Christ and striving to live as an example of his love. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her mother; son Trent Gilland and wife Megan of Townsend; sister Joyce Small and her husband Nelson of Newnan, GA; brother Michael Whitlock and his wife Susan of York, SC; brother-in-law C.A. Gilland and his wife Loretta of Maryville; sisters-in-law Frances Brackin of Townsend and Lois Jackson of Maryville; step-daughters Lori (husband Bill) Dockter of Alcoa and Amanda (husband Michael) Singleton of Maryville; grandchildren Kenda Roberts of Knoxville, Kayla (husband Noah) Bachman, Christian Singleton, and Kallie Singleton all of Maryville; great-granddaughter Paisley Bachman of Maryville; nephew Jarred Whitlock and his wife Bethany of Decatur, GA; and niece Rachel Whitlock of Clemson, SC. She is preceded in death by her father, her niece Kimberly Small and her nephew Jeffrey Small. A visitation to celebrate her life will be held Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Smith Trinity Chapel. A graveside gathering and internment will follow at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1901 Brunswick Avenue, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28207. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rita Lynn Gilland please visit our Sympathy Store.