Rita Horan

Rita Martin Horan, whose cheerful smile and radiant personality lit up a room, passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2025 at age 85. She and her husband, Jack, lived in Sun City Carolina Lakes in Indian Land, S.C.

Rita was born in Brilliant, Ala., a coal-mining town, on Feb. 12, 1940, to John D. Sr. and Willie Martin. Rita entered the world at home by a doctor who came to the house as a snowstorm prevented her parents from going to the hospital for delivery. At age 5, with bangs and pigtails, she took part in a child comedy movie similar to the Our Gang films. She attended schools in Birmingham and Gadsden, Ala., and graduated from Gadsen High School in 1958. Her brother, John Martin Jr., is six years younger. “She was not only my big sister, but my confidant. She was really the one who advised me. When I had an issue or problem, she was always there if I needed her.”

Her family moved to Orlando, Fla., in 1959, where she attended Orlando Junior College and worked part-time at the Martin Co., a defense contractor. She met her future husband, Jack Horan, in Orlando. After graduating from junior college, she attended the University of Florida, where she took pre-medical courses.

Rita and Jack were married for 62 years. In Charlotte, where they lived for nearly 50 years, where Rita worked at Mercy Hospital, part-time at Adesa Charlotte and served as an election registrar for Mecklenburg County. Her greatest fulfillment came from her job of 10 years at the Charlotte YWCA, where she was a water aerobics instructor. Many of her students were coping with arthritis or recovering from hip replacements. She drew deep satisfaction from seeing their health and well-being improve from water exercises in the Y's pool.

During the 2008 Olympics in China, Rita's water-aerobics class was chosen to appear in a public service TV commercial supporting the U.S. Olympic Team. Holding pool noodles, she and class members chanted, “USA! USA!” in their segment. The commercial, filmed in various places around Charlotte, ran in prime time on the TV networks.

In addition to exercising, Rita liked to travel, tend her gardens, walk the beach, curl up with historical novels, tour ante-bellum homes, take care of a lifetime of cats and cook Southern style, including baking a candy roaster pie at Thanksgiving. Like others of her generation, she favored folk music by Peter, Paul and Mary and The Kingston Trio.

Rita's nieces, Mandy and Lindsey, and nephew, Tyler, recall as children fun times visiting Rita, walking to parks, taking their first canoe trip and baseball games. “I loved spending time with Aunt Rita,” said Mandy, the oldest. “She was one of those rare adults who treated children like people. She always listened to me and was interested in what I had to say. She had such a kind and gentle soul and made everyone feel welcome. One of my favorite memories of childhood was sitting in Aunt Rita's kitchen while she cooked and talking about anything and everything. I always felt we shared a special bond and I will miss her.”

Over the decades, she and Jack made numerous canoe trips in the Carolinas and elsewhere, bicycle rides on the Virginia Creeper Trail, camping trips and hikes across the Southern Appalachians. On hikes, while Jack would be looking up at mountain landscapes, Rita would be looking down at wildflowers. “She was a beautiful person, my best friend and my canoeing, hiking and cycling buddy,” Jack said. “She had an inner strength and spirit that made our lives fuller and richer.”

She and Jack enjoyed stays at their house on Lake Elizabeth near Melrose, Fla., hosting family members and friends. A friend, Dee Dee Gibson, knew Rita from infancy as Dee Dee's mother, Donna Steeves, and Rita were best of friends. “Almost every time my family and I spent the night at Lake Elizabeth,” Dee Dee said, “she would treat us to what is often called a “farmer's breakfast,” a layered mix of of grits, sausage and scrambled eggs. It was so simple, but we loved it, and it became a fantastic memory.” A stickler for detail, Rita did any job or task with meticulous care. Dee Dee said she always tried to do the right thing. “I recall her saying, 'Well, if everyone would do the right thing, the world would be a better place.' ”

In addition to her husband Jack, Rita is survived by her brother, John D. Martin Jr. of Gainesville, Fla., and his wife Debby; nieces, Amanda Tyman of Rockville, Md., and her husband, Sean; their sons, Henry, Spencer and Oliver; Lindsey Hudson of St. Martin, Calif., her husband, Keefe; their son, Gage; nephew, Tyler Martin of Pursellville, Va.; brother-in-law Tom Horan of McKinney, Tex., and his wife Sonja.

Rita passed away at home with Agape Care providing comfort and aid. Neighbors Ann Beaty and Kristine and Frank Destro lent support and assistance, for which her family is grateful. We will always cherish Rita's memory and the joy and love she brought to her family, friends and neighbors. The family will hold a Celebration of Life for her in Gainesville, Fla., on Feb. 7 at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. Memorials in Rita's memory may be sent to the YWCA Central Carolinas, 3420 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 29209.