Rita Yarborough
God called Rita Yarborough home December 31, 2024, after prolonged health challenges. Her spirit forever lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Survivors include daughter/caregiver Karen Yarborough, grandsons Noah Newport and Seth Fugate, doting dog Tripp, along with great-grandson Zade Newport. Daughter Terri Cates and husband David, grandson Lucas Cates, granddaughter Callie Cates with great-grandchildren Kaniel and Azalaya Yarborough of Knoxville. Samantha Yarborough, granddaughter, resides in Heiskell.
She is preceded in death by husband of 57 years, W.E. Yarborough, son Chris Yarborough, mother Arlene Bridges, Father Trent Bridges, and special mother-in-law Minnie C. Yarborough. Siblings are Vicki French (best friend/neighbor/sister), brother Shannon and wife Ginny Bridges of Knoxville, and stepbrother Jason Bridges of Clinton.
Born in 1943, eldest child to the late Trent and Arlene Bridges, Rita was witty, outspoken, hard-working, and generous. A lifelong resident of Oliver Springs, she married Bill Yarborough (son of fellow church family) fresh out of U.S. Marines immediately upon high school graduation. They traveled in “telephone gang” to various states for Bell South work outage repairs.
With three young children by 1968, they constructed a house on land adjacent to her relatives/youth abode. The home front was charged by Rita’s fiery personality and entertaining antics. Exceling in the kitchen, she would not rest until every belly was filled. She inherited a good singing voice and contributed in local area Baptist church choirs as a life-long deacon’s wife.
Rita loved Elvis, game shows, slot machines, bingo, bunco, and card games. She especially liked flea markets, suspense novels, rowdy jokes, daily jumble word puzzles, and early rising for robust coffee with cigarettes. A card-carrying member of Oliver Springs and Oak Ridge Bowling Associations, she actively participated in leagues and tournaments over four decades. When health declined, she faithfully streamed live worship services from Calvary Baptist Church-Oak Ridge.
Celebration of Life will be held at Jackson Funeral Home, 51 Edmonds Drive, Oliver Springs on Saturday, January 4 from 12:00- 1:30 pm. Please bring photos and stories of Rita to share. Funeral procession departs 1:30 pm to Anderson Memorial Gardens, 640 Oliver Springs Highway, Clinton for 2:00 pm interment. Pastor Steve McDonald, Calvary Baptist Church-Oak Ridge is officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.jacksonfuneralservices.com.