Rita Gwaltney

Rita Woodyard Gwaltney was born in the Little Creek Community of Dublin, VA on August 22nd, 1941. She was sent to be with our Heavenly Father on Sunday, October 30th, 2022 at the age of 81 in Boones Mill,  VA with her son and daughter-in-law by her side. She was preceded in death by her father Cecil Woodyard, her mother Edith Morris Woodyard, and her brother Buddy Woodyard, and her protector and the love of her life Russell Gwaltney, her husband of over 50 years.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Rusty and Katy Gwaltney; daughter and grandson, Renee’ Moore and Phoenix Moore; and siblings Albert (Eva) Woodyard, David (Brenda) Woodyard, Darrell (Vickey) Woodyard, Debbie (Terry) Mays, Dreama Maxie, Dulane (Jim) Repass, Shirley Thompson, and Zet (James) Hash. She has a large extended family and countless loving friends.

From a young age Rita lived on her father’s farm with her nine siblings.  As she became a young lady, she set out on her own to the “Big City” of Salem Virginia which she called home for majority of her adult life.  She became a pharmaceutical consultant for Powell’s Pharmacy for most of her professional career and raised two children with Russell. They lived a wonderful life together going to dances (they could dance, but she could really flat-foot), playing cards and game nights, family vacations. After retirement, Russ and Rita did some traveling, yard sales, family time back on Little Creek, and Rita and her girlfriends would have their world famous yard sales in the basement of her Salem home. She was 5 foot 2 “AND A HALF” inches tall (just ask her). But she stood ten feet tall when someone needed her. Always the one who was there to care for and help a neighbor, friend, or family member. A strong and loving caretaker, she never minded putting other people’s needs in front of her own. She will be missed by many, and her sweet loving soul will be forever in the hearts of those who had the pleasure to have known her.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 1 p.m. in Sherwood Memorial Park. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:  Salem Police Dept. D.A.R.E Program 36 E. Calhoun St. Salem, VA 24153