Rita Jett Sikes

Rita Dean Jett Sikes joined her loving husband and son on May, 22, 2023, at the age of 92.
 
Rita was the beloved wife of the late Gail Tren Sikes, Mother of Rita Gail Beard (Dean), the late Mitchell Jett Sikes, and Belle Virginia Sikes Plaisance (Kevin).  She leaves behind her four loving grandchildren Mitchell (Lil Rusty) Tren Sikes, Crystal Gail Beard Williams (Mack), Cassidy Gayle Plaisance, Connor James Plaisance and her five great-grandchildren Gavin Beard, Ryley and Brennan Carlock, Hunter and Gracie Williams.
 
Rita Dean Jett Sikes was born February 20, 1931 in Parks, Arkansas to Rufus Jett and Verdie Thomas Jett. She was preceded in death by parents and her three brothers, Kellow Jett, Eldon Jett and Sam Jett.
 
Rita graduated from Memorial Hospital School of Nursing on June 28th, 1951. She met her husband Gail who was stationed at the Army base in Fort Smith, Arkansas where she was working as a nurse. They married on December 20, 1951 and moved to Louisville, Mississippi where Rita worked as a nurse for Dr. Robert Griffin. During that time, her two eldest children were born, Rita Gail Sikes (1954) and Mitchell “Rusty” Jett Sikes (1956). In 1964, Rita moved to Holland with her husband Gail who was the manager for H.C. Price Company Pipe Coating. It was in Holland that Rita had her third child, Belle Virginia Sikes Plaisance (1969). Shortly thereafter, Rita moved to Louisiana where she was certified as a Registered Nurse by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.  Rita work for the Veterans Administration Hospital of New Orleans and West Jefferson Medical Center.  Rita work for West Jefferson as behavioral health nurse up until her retirement in 1990.
 
Rita was a beautiful soul and the beloved matriarch of her close-knit family.  She had a loving heart, kind smile and quick wit.  She was a wonderful cook that had a famous cornbread dressing that was coveted by all of her children and a cast iron cornbread skillet her son and youngest daughter routinely ribbed each other over and swore to her they were going to steal it from her. Rita was always a phone call or a short drive away for a hug or sound, wise advice. While a deeply private person, Rita would always welcome anyone that crossed her threshold and she will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 9am to 11am. Services will follow in the funeral home chapel. Interment Westlawn Memorial Park.

Family and friends are encouraged to share their condolences, stories and memories by visiting: www.mothefunerals.com.