Mrs. Lucy Juanita "Nita" Rawleigh, 89, a lifelong resident of Lake City, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by her daughters and son-in-law on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at Bedrock Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Lake City following an extended illness.

Nita was born on July 8, 1933, to Lynn E. and Leila (Dixon) Martin in Lake City, Florida.  Mrs. Rawleigh graduated from Columbia High School in the class of 1951. She went on to attend nursing school at University Hospital Barrett School of Nursing in Augusta, Georgia, graduating in 1954.

Nita met Sherwood "Rick" Arden Rawleigh at a dance in Lake City, Florida in 1956 and they married later that year. Nita and Rick were blessed with three children, Sabrina, Kirk, and Lisa.

In 1988, following the birth of her first grandchild, Nita retired from her position of 34 years as an operating room nurse for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lake City, Fl.

Known for her quick wit and feisty demeanor, Nita lived life to the fullest. She adored her family and was always there to support her grandchildren at their many extracurricular activities, specifically swim meets. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, shopping, spending time with friends and family, and going to her beach condo in Amelia Island, FL. Nita was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Lake City and often reminisced on fond memories of her "camp days" at Camp O'Leno and Camp Montgomery as a youth.

Mrs. Rawleigh was preceded in death by Rick, her husband of 47 years, in 2003, and her son, Kirk, who passed away in 1972. She is survived by her younger brother, Lynn Martin of Belen, NM; two daughters, Sabrina (Patrick) Sibbernsen of Lake City, FL and Lisa Hastings (Ron deceased) of Lake City, FL; five grandchildren, Dehne Sibbernsen (Dr. Peter Rozman) of New York, NY, Astin (Brandon) Kahnk of Omaha, NE and Arden (Charlie) Tatem of Pensacola, FL, Cory Russell of Tampa, FL and Holly (Alvin) Key of Lake City, FL; and three great-grandchildren, Blair and Allison Tatem, and Jax Kahnk.

A memorial service and visitation will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake City, FL on Saturday, November 5th at 11:00 am. Visitation with the family will take place at 10:30 am prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Suwannee Valley Care Center Haven Hospice 6037 US HWY 90 West Lake City, FL 32055 or an organization of your choice.