Rita "Diane" Singleton, 82, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at her home in Shelby, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Clayton and Dora Singleton, also of Shelby. Diane was born in Shelby and graduated from Shelby High School in 1961 and University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1965. She was an all-star conference basketball player at Shelby High and also played basketball at UNCG. After four years teaching at Page High School in Greensboro, Diane attended Florida State University, receiving a Masters Degree in Health and Physical Education. She then taught at Winston Churchill High School in Montgomery County, Maryland for 30 years. In addition to teaching, Diane coached many successful high school basketball, volleyball, softball, and track teams over those years. She retired in 1998 and returned home to Shelby where she enjoyed recreational softball with the local Golden Girls Softball team as well as golf with friends at Deer Brook Golf Club.


Diane is survived by her brother, Don Singleton (Debra Marshall), a nephew, Michael Singleton (Kristen), and great niece, Julia Singleton.


A celebration of life service will be held graveside at 2:00 PM on January 22, 2026 at Cleveland Memorial Park, 1225 College Avenue, Boiling Springs, North Carolina (28017). Dr. Phil Stevens of Eastside Baptist Church will officiate. The family will receive friends at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home at 1:00 at 106 Cherryville Road, Shelby, North Carolina (28150) with a procession to the cemetery leaving by 1:30.


Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.