Nashville –

Rita Hight, age 66, passed away peacefully Friday, July 25, 2025 at Kitty Askins Hospice Facility in Goldsboro, North Carolina. She was born in Franklin County on September 5, 1958 to Perry and Carolyn Goodyear Patterson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Donnie and Michael Patterson and grandson, Henry Branch.

A beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother, Rita loved providing for and caring for her family. Many of her days were spent cooking (especially her famous pineapple cake), taking care of the home and making sure her children were staying on the straight and narrow. Her leisure activities included many trips to White Lake and crocheting. Rita especially looked forward to Sunday afternoons when she and Raymond would pass time strolling around to different car lots so he could "browse" but never buy anything.

Rita's strong personality and love for her family will always be remembered. Her memory will live forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her husband of fifty years, Raymond Hight; daughters, Crystal Hale (Bucky) of Nashville, Tina Collier (Brandon) of Enfield, Regina Taylor (Jerry) of Nashville and Rhonda Branch (Junior) of Spring Hope; sister, Teresa Langston (Jr) of Sharpsburg; along with several nieces, nephews and other extended relatives.

Holding a special place in Rita's heart were her grandchildren, Leslie Boggs (John), Jazmin Hargrove, Cody Bailey, Desiree Hargrove, Hanna Bailey, Tyler Branch, Mason Taylor, Gabriel Branch and Paisley Branch and great-grandchildren, Madison Hargrove, Skylar Jones, Oakley Boggs, Nova Williams and Mi'Angel Hargrove.

The family will receive friends at the home of Raymond Hight from 2:00pm until 6:00pm on Saturday, July 26th and Sunday, July 27th.