Rita Marie Talley Garrett, age 81, passed away on May 6, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. She was born on October 31, 1943, in Bluefield, West Virginia, to Mary Lorene (Lorraine) and Everett Ashton Talley. Rita was raised in Portsmouth, Virginia, and moved to Texas in 1983.
Rita was a dedicated and accomplished nurse whose career began in 1962. She served in the nursing profession for over 45 years before retiring from Arlington Memorial Hospital.
She was formerly married to James Russell Garrett, and together they had two daughters.
Rita led an active and joyful life filled with bowling, Bunco, travel, reading, and quality time with family and friends. She will be remembered for her love of puzzles and crafting, her long and heartfelt late-night conversations, her sharp wit, and her endlessly loving spirit.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Dee Carlsen.
Rita's memory lives on through her loving family: her daughters, Mary Ellen Rathbun (Scott) and Jennifer Rebecca Garrett; her grandchildren, Megan Marie Burch (Ryan) and Rebecca Jean Garcia (Anthony); and her great-grandchild, Oliver Pablo-Scott. She is also survived by her two brothers, Joseph Everett Talley (Ann) and Michael Andrew Talley (Carolyn), as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you donate to one of her favorite charities: Tarrant County Food Bank or Arlington Animal Shelter.
