Obituary: Willetta C. Tackett

Willetta C. Tackett passed away in her home in Athens, Texas Tuesday, January 8, 2019. She was 85 years young. Willetta was born July 9, 1933 in Comyn, Comanche County, Texas to Rich and Dita Cowan. She was a graduate of Dublin High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Wyndel Tackett. Together, they became an inseparable team. She worked at the Texas A&M University Library while Wyndel was pursuing his degree. While raising 4 children, Willetta worked various jobs; a bookkeeper for family businesses, Tax Collector for LaPoynor School District, and perhaps her most beloved job, that as a Rancher’s Wife. In that capacity, she was a team of one, feeding hungry cowboys, nursing bumps and bruises, and overall providing a calm hand in what was often a hectic lifestyle.

Outside of her love for family, her favorite hobby found her in the deer stand. She loved hunting whitetail deer and would make a pot of her famous deer chili at a moment’s notice. She was “Mom” to so many people, it would be difficult to count them all. She had a gift that included telling people that she loved them, without ever speaking a word. To all of her son-in-law’s and daughter-in-law’s, she immediately dropped the “in-law”. To friends of her children, she was soon known simply, as “Mom”. The many health professionals that later cared for her, would find themselves calling her “Mom” within a few hours.

In the autumn of her life, she was blessed to have caregivers who loved her like their own. From Cedar Lake Nursing to Genesis, Pathfinders Home Health, Caring Hearts Hospice and the individuals…. We love you all and will always remember the love and care you gave our Mom, and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, and best friend, of 69 years, Wyndel Tackett, daughter, Loretta Kay (Lorie) Watkins of Ravenna, daughter-in-law, Kalene Glass Tackett of Plano, granddaughter, Brandi (Tackett) Wisinger of Plano, and grandson Joshua (Josh) Lee Tackett of Athens.

Survivors include her daughter DiAnn Roberts of Plano, sons: Steve Tackett, and wife DiAnn of LaRue, Lee Tackett and wife Kim of Athens; son-in-law Tommy Watkins of Ravenna, and Bear Tackett, her loyal and loving Yorkie. Additionally 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Chris Curd, Mark Thomas, retired General Kevin Wooten, Casey Wiley, Jason Shaw, Deven Davis and Scott Roberts.

Honorary pallbearers are all those who called her “Mom”.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday evening January 10, 2019 from 5-7 pm. at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens. Funeral Service will be 10 am Friday, January 11, 2019 at Autry’s Carroll Lehr Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Henderson County Livestock Show Wyndel and Willetta Tackett Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1372, Athens, Texas 75751.