Rita Vereene

Mrs. Rita Vereene peacefully departed this life on August 28, 2025, entering eternal rest with our Lord. Rita was born on October 1, 1949, in New Bern, North Carolina, to the late Elias and Annie Mae Cannon. She graduated from Pamplico County High School before moving to New Haven, Connecticut. She began her career with the Board of Education, where she worked for 10 years and formed a lifelong friendship with John Cabral Jr. Rita later joined Southern New England Telephone Company, where she dedicated 29 years of service before retiring. Rita was a woman who loved life and people. She enjoyed traveling-whether it was visiting her children and grandchildren, attending family reunions, cruising, or exploring across the country. She had a passion for cooking and made everyone feel welcomed in her home. Known affectionately as "Ma," "Ms. V," "Mrs. Rita," or simply "Vereene," she had a gift for making others feel special. A faithful servant of the Lord, Rita was a longtime member of Pitts Chapel Unified Freewill Baptist Church. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of 52 years, George; her son Allen Cannon (Maureen) of Germany; her daughter Tanisha Williams of Florida; her sister Celestine McLean and brother William "Eric" Cannon (Mary), both of New Haven, Connecticut; grandchildren Camilla Cannon, Vincent Cannon, and Kaniya Williams; sisters-in-law Sandra Massey, Rosa Randolph, Carolyn Goodman, Pharonda Cannon, all of North Carolina, and Sallie Cannon Gurley,Alabama; brother-in-law Robert Gray (Debbie) of Wilmington, North Carolina; and her lifelong best friend, John Cabral Jr. She is also remembered with love by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Elias and Annie Mae Cannon, her brothers Warren Bryant, Elias Cannon, and Raymond Cannon, and her beloved grandson Kameron Williams. Rita's love, kindness, and warm spirit will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew her.