Rita Ann (Setser) Deweese

Rita Deweese, age 73, of Weaverville, N.C., entered into her forever home on Sunday, January 18, 2026, after a three-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Rita spent her early years attending college at night while working in early childhood education and real estate. She later moved into entrepreneurship, successfully operating a video store and eventually opening a consignment shop named after her first granddaughter, Savannah Smiles. In her spare time, she loved riding her motorcycle through the mountains. Rita also enjoyed gardening, going to the beach, and especially spending time at the lake with her husband, friends, and grandchildren. In recent years, her greatest joy came from the time she spent with her great-grandsons.

She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, Nana, and Great-Nana. Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Deweese; her mother, Virginia Melton Setser; her father, John Andrew Setser; her sister, Brenda Setser Brandon; her brother-in-law, George Thomas Brandon; and her grandson, Gavin Deweese.

She is survived by her daughter, Wendy Henkel, and husband Chuck; her son, John Pressley; Eddie’s son, Jason, and wife Megan; grandchildren Savannah and husband Bob, Shyanne and husband Nic, Chuck Jr., Talan, and Jillian; and great-grandsons Case, R.J., and Lane.

A joint Celebration of Life will be held for Rita and her husband on January 30, 2026, from 5:00–7:30 PM at the Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr., Weaverville, NC 28787.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition at https://ovarian.org/donate-ovarian-cancer/.

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