Rozelle Kite Hott Obituary: Grove Hill Native, St. Paul Lutheran Church’s Oldest Member and Beloved Matriarch, Dies at 98

Rozelle Kite Hott passed into eternal life on August 28, 2026, just one year and nine days shy of her 100th birthday. She was 98. A resident at Hawksbill Assisted Living in Luray for nearly five years, Hott had previously lived on her ancestral farm in Grove Hill, Virginia, where her family’s roots in the Shenandoah Valley ran deep. Her death was announced by Lindsey-Kyger Funeral Home, which is assisting the family with arrangements. Hott died peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family and the memories of a life well lived.

Born on September 6, 1927, Hott was the third and youngest child of the late Altha Pearl and Perry Decatur Kite. She grew up in the Grove Hill community, a rural area in Page County where her family had lived for generations. Her childhood was shaped by the rhythms of farm life, the values of hard work and faith, and the close bonds of a family that had been part of the Shenandoah Valley for centuries. She was descended from Adam Miller, recognized as the first European settler to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, a heritage that she carried with pride throughout her life. Her roots were deeply planted in the Grove Hill community, and she was the seventh generation of her family to worship at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

On June 15, 1951, Hott married Herman Hoye Hott Jr., beginning a partnership that would last nearly 54 years until Herman’s passing on March 14, 2005. Their marriage was marked by love, laughter, and a shared commitment to family and faith. Herman was an educator, and when he began experiencing failing eyesight, Rozelle became his assistant, typing tests, grading papers, and keeping his register. They were a team in every sense of the word, and their home was filled with warmth and joy. Together, they raised two children and built a life rooted in the values they both held dear.

Hott is survived by her children, H. Hoye Hott III (Gayle) of Gordonsville and Vonna Lou Hott (Jeff Cave) of Shenandoah; her grandchildren, Dana Hott Graves (Channing) and Ryan Hott (Monica); and her great-grandchildren, Logan Crickenberger, Thomas and Connor Graves, and Leah and Caleb Hott. She is also survived by her nieces, Pauletta Lockridge, Nancy Racer, Carolyn “Kitti” Kyger, and Patricia Simons; her nephew, Bertram W. Kite Jr.; her sister-in-law, Norma Johnson of Charles Town, West Virginia; and twelve great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Lynwood Lee, who died in infancy, and Bertram W. Kite Sr., who passed on October 13, 2005. Her oldest niece, Sharon Louderback, who was like a “kid sister” to her, passed on October 3, 2022.

Hott’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was baptized on September 25, 1927, and confirmed on May 17, 1940, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, where she remained a devoted member for her entire life. She was the oldest member of the congregation, a distinction that reflected her longevity and her unwavering commitment to her church community. In her younger years, she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and the Children of the Church, a Saturday afternoon program that nurtured the faith of young members. She organized the flower calendar for 47 years, continuing until she turned 90, and served on the Christian Education Committee, handled Communion set-up and clean-up, and served as Secretary to the Sunday School for nearly 40 years. She was a quiet servant of Christ, going about her work in the church with humility and devotion, never seeking recognition but always giving generously of her time and energy.

Hott was a graduate of Shenandoah High School, Class of 1948. Upon graduation, she was employed at the Shenandoah Knitting Mill and continued working until her son Hoye was born. Her career outside the home was brief, but her work within her family and her community was lifelong and profound. She was known throughout her family and church community for sending cards, a practice that became a hallmark of her thoughtfulness and care. One niece recalled, “My birthday card always arrived on the actual day of my birthday. I don’t know how she did it, but she made me feel very special.” This attention to detail and her genuine interest in the lives of others made her a beloved figure to all who knew her.

Hott was happiest outdoors, where she could tend her vegetable garden and watch the fields grow. Her farm in Grove Hill was not just a place to live; it was a source of pride and fulfillment, a connection to the land and to the generations of her family who had worked it before her. In her retirement years, she and Herman enjoyed some travel and spent more time with family and friends. Their good friends Phyllis and the late Kenneth Graff were often part of their days, sharing meals, conversation, and the simple pleasures of companionship.

The family has expressed their gratitude to Hawksbill Assisted Living and Gentiva Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to their beloved mother. The staff at Hawksbill, where Hott resided for nearly five years, became like extended family to her, and the family has thanked them for their compassion and dedication. The hospice team, too, provided comfort and support in Hott’s final days, allowing her to pass with dignity and peace.

The Reverend Tarja Stevenson will conduct a service at St. Paul Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The casket will be closed, in accordance with the family’s wishes. The service will be a time for family, friends, and members of the community to come together to honor Hott’s life, to celebrate her legacy, and to find comfort in their shared faith. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, designated for the Rozelle Hott Flower Fund, at 6433 US Highway 340, Shenandoah, VA 22849. The fund, which she organized for 47 years, will continue to beautify the church she loved in her memory.

Hott’s passing marks the end of an era for her family and for the Grove Hill community. She was the keeper of family stories, the matriarch who held generations together, and a woman whose faith and love touched everyone she met. Her legacy is one of quiet service, steadfast devotion, and an unwavering commitment to her family, her church, and her community. As those who knew Rozelle Kite Hott remember her life and legacy, they are reminded of the importance of faith, family, and the simple acts of kindness that make a life meaningful.

Condolences are extended to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who are mourning her passing. The family has asked for privacy as they grieve, and they have expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received. In the days and weeks ahead, Hott’s memory will live on through the stories shared by those who loved her, the flowers that will bloom in her honor at St. Paul Lutheran Church, and the enduring legacy of a life well lived. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will remain in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.