Rita Ann Grant Wolfe, 71, of Daphne, AL, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at The Residence Memory Care Center in Pensacola, FL.

Rita was born at LV Stabler Memorial Hospital in rural Butler County, AL on August 1, 1954, daughter to Calvin Lee and Myrtle Blackmon Grant. In the early 1960s her family moved to Coffee County, AL where her father was employed in Army Aviation. She graduated from New Brockton High School in 1972. Upon graduation she married the love of her life, Paul Douglas Wolfe. They lived as "starving students" for 5 years as Rita laughingly liked to remember as Paul finished college and seminary in Atlanta.

Rita earned her degree in Radiography and Ultrasound Technology from West Florida School of Radiology Technology/Pensacola State College. She was a team member at the West Florida Hospital Cancer Center working in general radiology and later specializing in mammography from 1988-1999. From 2001-2002 she was employed at the LV Stabler Memorial Hospital in Greenville, AL; from 2003-2011 she worked as a mammography technologist at South Baldwin Hospital in Foley, AL. She was unable to return to her passion after her and Paul's near fatal automotive accident.

She would often say, when you walked with someone through their breast cancer diagnosis and proposed treatment plan, you have been with them "in the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23). You are in such a sacred space where fear and hope are deeply engaged. You have touched the depth of life and holiness.

She supported and followed her husband's pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church for 47 years, turning every parsonage into a beautifully warm and inviting home.

Rita loved her family fiercely. She was the proud mother of her son, Eric Blackley Wolfe, her daughter, Dr. Kimberly Wolfe Brown, and her son-in-law, David Allen Brown, Jr. David and Kim blessed her with two amazing grandchildren, Cooper Douglas Brown (14) and Elizabeth Anne Brown (11). She took being "Grandma" very seriously. Talking about and loving-on her grandkids were her favorite activities.

She is also survived by her siblings, Carolyn Estelle Housley, Steven Anthony Grant, and Timothy Samuel Grant, and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family is grateful to her co-workers and friends, Lauren and Karen, for their immense investment of time, friendship, and support for Rita throughout her eight-year battle with dementia. We have been blessed by numerous family members and friends who have sustained us though this long, difficult journey.

We thank God for Rita and her amazing life of beauty, love, wit, and grace.

Visitation will be held from 10:00am until a Graveside Service begins at 11:00am Saturday, January 10, 2026, at The Bethel Methodist Church and Cemetery, Fort Deposit, AL, with Rev. Dan Rhodes of Lake Martin, AL officiating. In the case of rain, the service will be held in the sanctuary.

Bethel Methodist Church (Google Maps (no address) – driving directions:

(1) From I-65, take exit 142 (Priester's Pecans exit)

(2) Turn East onto Old Fort Rd E/ AL-185

(3) Turn RIGHT onto US-31/Montgomery Hwy

(4) Turn LEFT onto CR-60/Bethel Church Rd

(5) The church and cemetery are on the LEFT side of the road.

Memorial contributions would be appreciated to Rita's lifelong passion for healing through the American Cancer Society.