Rita Morrison Wiseman, 82, of Blowing Rock, N.C., passed away at home surrounded by her family on May 27, 2025

She is survived by her three children, Keith Wiseman Jr (Barry Roberts), Kate Wiseman (Robbie Dunn), and Lynne Wiseman (Nicole Blankenbeckler), and three nephews, Brad Wiseman, Jason Wiseman, and Rolf Carle.

Rita was born in Statesville, N.C., to Dr. James Rudy Morrison and Agnes Marie (nee Nolan) Morrison in 1943. She was a graduate of Statesville High School, Class of 1961, where she met her future husband and made lifelong friends. Rita attended UNC prior to marrying and starting a family. She was an avid volunteer throughout her life. While living in Mooresville, N.C., she was an active member of the Junior Civic League and the American Red Cross.

After relocating to Blowing Rock, Rita was active in the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, High Country Host, and Blowing Rock Architecture Advisory Committee. She was especially proud of the years she served as a member of the Blowing Rock Town Council and the decades she spent working with the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. In addition to her volunteer work, Rita excelled as a real estate agent, as it gave her the opportunity to interact with many people and share her love of Blowing Rock with them.

Rita had a big personality and touched the lives of everyone she met. She never met a stranger and was generous, genuine, and full of life. She loved bringing people together to laugh and create memories. Rita was always full of antics, whether arranging people to dress up in funny hats for get-togethers or crashing one of the town parades she loved so much. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Rita’s caregivers, Susan Hampton and Shelby Key, for their dedication, compassion, and companionship during her lengthy illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church with burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville immediately following. Rita will lie in state on Friday afternoon from 3 until 5 p.m. at Troutman Funeral Home and Saturday morning from 9 until 10 a.m. at the church. A celebration of life will be held in Blowing Rock at a later date.

Donations to the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show are welcome.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.