02/04/2026
Rita Carol Tackett, 83, of Prestonsburg, KY, passed on into the arms of her Heavenly Father on February 3, 2026, at Highlands ARH, having fought a long and valiant fight for the sake of her family.
Rita is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 65 years, James; daughter, Cindy; grandson, Clay; sisters, Christine Childers and Wanda Justice; brother-in-law, Mack Blankenship; and a host of loving family and friends.
She is proceeded in death by her parents; daughter, Robin Michelle; son-in-law, Eric Johnson; sisters, Erva (John) Baker, Betty Blankenship, Glema Smith, Avonelle Smalley; brothers, Rufus, Junis, and Perry Thacker and Dennis Coleman; and brothers-in-law, Howard Justice and Bob Childers.
Rita was born on April 17, 1942, to Elisha and Clara Thacker. She was raised on Pompey alongside her siblings, of whom she was the youngest. Rita graduated from Hellier High School and shortly thereafter married the love of her life James Tackett. She worked for James’s parents at Tackett’s Community Market at Millard until she and James opened their own grocery store at Grapevine. The two of them worked diligently hand-in-hand to build their business before moving to Mouthcard where they built Tackett’s IGA. After retiring, they moved to Prestonsburg where they continued building their relationship through the development of mutual hobbies and projects that kept them busy around their house. Rita joined the church in June 1963, making her time in the church 62 years. She was a devoted member of the Enterprise Old Regular Baptist Church where she was a supportive and nurturing figure to all who came through the doors. Rita’s love of the Lord was evident in all that she did. She was well known for her ability to cook and bake, and she loved cooking for the church. Rita was famous for her cookie sheet cake, gingerbread, chicken and dumplings, and pies. Rita helped bring up her daughter Cindy to whom she was a role model, confidant, adventure buddy, and best friend. When her grandson Clay was born, she kept him many hours during which she read him stories, taught him to cook, and, generally, spoiled him rotten. Rita always said that she wanted to be remembered as kind, and she certainly succeeded.
Funeral services will be held at 11AM Saturday at the Hall and Jones Funeral Home with Old Regular Baptist Ministers officiating. Burial will follow in the Frank Tackett Cemetery at Long Fork. Visitation will begin after 6PM Thursday at the funeral home with services starting nightly beginning at 7PM.
