Obituary of Rita Lawson Calhoun

Rita Calhoun, 78, of Moneta, loving wife, mother, sister and friend, went to be with the Lord on September 25, 2021. Rita lived her life serving the Lord, loving her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. Rita was well known in the community for her faith and willingness to help others when needed. She impacted so many people with her kindness, compassion and understanding. She was born in Squire, WV, a daughter of the late Harvey Johnson Lawson and Flora Ethel (Kilgore) Lawson of Squire, WV. Rita retired from the USPS as a rural mail carrier, after 26 years. Prior to, her career was in the medical field at Bedford Memorial Hospital, as a Medical Technologist and head of the lab. Rita also drove for the Bedford County School system as a Bus Driver. After retiring, Rita worked for Dr. Steven Lewis and Dr. Tiffany Powell in Wirtz, VA as an MT for 7 years. In addition to her late husband, John Alvin Calhoun, and her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Burleigh Lawson and sister, Gertrude Brinkley. She is survived by her beloved children, Gregory Alvin (Kristen) Calhoun, Hardy, Va., Jan Lynn Winand, Moneta, Va., Rebekah Renee’ (Chuck) Horner, Bedford, Va., and Jeremiah John Calhoun, Moneta, Va. Also, her beloved grandchildren, Gregory Alan Calhoun (Brittany Thurman), Andrea Brooke (Eric) Fenning, Destiny Renee’ and Michelle Leigh Winand, Stephen Douglas Ruhd III, Ty Franklin and Wyatt Lawson Calhoun and great grandchild, Kennedy Rose Fenning. Additional survivors are brother, Wincel Lawson, Portsmouth, Va., sister, Brenda (Jerry) Bales, Columbia City, IN., brother, Edgar Wayne (Ora Mae) Lawson, Lindside, WV. Extended family includes, Aunt Peggy, cousins, several nieces, nephews, friends and church family. Rita will be deeply missed by members of her extended family and host of friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Moneta Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 455 Moneta, Va. 24121. Funeral service will held at 11 AM on Friday, October 1, 2021 at Updike Funeral Chapel with the Pastor David Timma officiating. Interment will follow at Palestine Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 until 7 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford, Va.