Rheta Ann Evarts

Rheta Evarts, 92, of Rutherfordton, NC, met her Savior Jesus in Glory on September 8, 2025. Rheta was born to George and Emma Pearl Leonard in Wilmar, California. She relocated to Connecticut in 1951 with her first husband, Edmund Kittle, where they raised five children. She was employed at Union Carbide for many years. In 1989, she married her second husband, Roger Evarts. Upon retiring in 1995, they moved to Rutherford County, North Carolina.

Rheta volunteered at Chimney Rock, North Carolina, Hospice of Rutherford County, Forest City, North Carolina, and the former Rest Stop in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. Rheta believed in Jesus Christ as her Savior and was an active member in many churches in her life. The last church she attended was Second Baptist Church of Rutherfordton, North Carolina. She loved best through prayer, encouragement, and gifting her handiwork. She loved sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, and cross-stitching. She also loved cats, tending to her houseplants, and feeding the birds, especially hummingbirds.

She was an avid reader, loving the Bible and her devotionals. She enjoyed organizing the libraries of the churches she attended and the senior centers. In her last few years of life, she enjoyed her family, loved ones, adult coloring, and the senior center.

Rheta was predeceased by her parents, brother Lyn Leonard, sister Jeannie Sturgis, eldest son Jeffrey Kittle, and her husband Roger Evarts.

She is survived by her sons Allan Kittle and Stephen Kittle; daughters Linda Fredette and Ellen Rorstrom; daughter-in-law Judy Kittle; grandchildren Amanda Collins, Nick Kittle, and Chris Kittle; great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A simple service will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, at eleven o'clock a.m. at Green River Baptist Church Association, 668 North Washington Street, Rutherfordton, North Carolina, at Evarts Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Memory Care Unit at Valley Hill Health and Rehab, Hendersonville, North Carolina by clicking the donation link below.