Rita Denise Syms was born on April 19, 1964, to the late Oscar and Janice Syms. Rita was called home to rest on Monday August 18, 2025. She put up a good fight, but God called his daughter home.

Rita was educated in the Camden City School system. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1983.

At an early age Rita gave her life over to Christ at Mt. Hope UAME Church. As an adult she sang on the Gospel Chorus. She later joined Mt. Zion UAME Church where she sang in their choir. She was also part of their Mission Ministry where they visited the nursing home. Rita always made it a point to sing and mention the goodness of The Lord. How God had blessed her and brought her through another medical situation. She has defied the odds several times. Medical staff would say she needs surgery. They would prep her and then they would tell her she was fine. She would say “God’s grace and mercy did it again”.

Rita lived life on her own terms. In short Rita did it her way. She didn’t ask for permission she lived her life to the fullest.

Rita was a vibrant child full of energy. She was very outgoing and loved to talk slick to everyone. Her mouth got slicker with age. She was notorious for giving a person a nickname.

If you needed a place to stay, she would let you stay at her house without judgment. Rita’s house was the hang out spot. All the kids and young adults loved going to Rita’s. There were no rules or regulations. Just good times and fun.

For many years she was the face for Popeye’s Chicken on Marlton Pike. She would feed people who didn’t have enough money. Saying they’re just going to throw this food away. I would rather give it to someone who really needs it. She watched and fed child in Westfield Acres. A lot of them called her Aunt Rita.

Rita was a hustler and a pimp. She has pimped all of us out for one thing or another. She would tell someone “Oh so and so said this” and they wouldn’t check they just went along with what she said. She was queen of figuring it out, one way or another. You might not like her method, but it was going to get done.

She loved to party and hang out with family. Dancing and karaoke were her thing. She would do the bop. She made amazing potato salad. She was only second to her father.

Rita is preceded in death by her father Oscar, mother Janice, sisters Rona Syms Drayton and Alethia Baker-Spaine, first love/kids father Charles King III, (Ninky) Son-in Law Kiante Collins.

She leaves to cherish her memories and legacy, her son Charles Syms, her daughters Tynieshia Syms and Brittany Syms. Her grandkids, Ryanah Richardson, Taron Brockington, Charles Syms (CJ) Cin’Cere Cook, and bonus grandchild Justice Jones. Her sisters Renee (CQ), Rachelle, Natia/Tia, Toni (Tyrone), Yolanda (Yareem) brother Oscar Jr. stepmother Patricia Syms-Marshall, Aunts Joyce Porter (Claude) and Amber Syms. Uncle Leroy Lewis, Her loving companion Michael G. Stewart, two loving cousins Melodee and Joy. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.