Obituary of Rita Abbott Rye

                                      It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful mother. 

Rita Abbott Rye, 78, of Eastover, SC passed away January 6, 2024, Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital Greenville, South Carolina. She was born on June 1, 1945, in Columbia, South Carolina to James and Ida June Abbott. 

She loved school and graduated at just 18 years old from the Old Columbia Hospital with her LPN Licensed Practical Nurse degree and several years later she graduated top of her class from Midlands Technical College with an RN (Registered Nurse) degree. She was a Labor and Delivery nurse for several years at the old Baptist Hospital then worked at William S Hall in the psychiatric hospital.  She ultimately found her passion as a valued and beloved Geri-Psychiatric Nurse at the VA Dorn Hospital in Columbia SC and completed her career there.  She loved the VA and the fun little stories her patients would sometimes share with her.  

She had a heart of gold and loved hard. She loved gardening and was tenacious in her love and caring for her Mother’s favorite flowers and plants.  She especially loved her beach trips with kids and grandchildren and any time spent with grandchildren and her great-grandson. She worked hard and played hard, and was loved by all who knew her.  She was sassy and mischievous, and the funniest person to be around.  She unconditionally loved and was loved by everyone that knew her. 

Rita is survived by her children, Michelle Furr (Lester), Travis Rish, Bonnie Massingale, and Reverend Landon Rish, special niece Nicole (Joey) Huffman, her grandchildren Tori Bevels (Stephen), Seth Stoudenmier (Lori), Rachel Boykin (Steven), Christian Stoudenmier (fiancé Taylor Kupneski), Claire Rish (fiancé Malachi Livingston), Alayna Rish (Lita) and Tobias Jones, her great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren, Tyler Akers, Lester Furr IV, Olivia Furr, Joshua Furr, and McKenzie Stone; great-grandchildren Weston Bevels and a new bundle of joy on the way (Seth and Lori Stoudenmier). Rita is also survived by her beloved brother Paul Abbott (JC), many other nieces and nephews, and her dear friend Dr. Lynn Hackett, who she loved visiting and chatting with. Lastly, her fur babies who she absolutely adored—her dogs Peaches and Snowman, cat Miss Kitty, her donkey Topper, and countless other pets.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Witt Rye and former husband Robert T Rish, as well as both of her loving parents James and Ida June Abbott, sisters Linda Abbott and Susan Redfern.   

The family will receive friends at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209 on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 1:00PM until 2:00PM.  Funeral services will be in the chapel of the funeral home following the family visitation with Pastor David Spears officiating.  Burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.