Mrs. Retha Massengill Campbell was born September 10, 1932, to the late Richard and Jallie (Owens) Massengill and went to her Heavenly home February 26, 2026. She accepted Christ at age 11 at Pine Hill Church and was a longtime member of Caves Springs Baptist Church.
Retha met the love of her life, Otis Campbell, at the young age of 16 and married on her 17th birthday. They were married for 39 years until Otis passed in 1988.
She had a lifelong love of music but especially gospel and bluegrass. She sang in many churches a cappella and as a part of the Campbell Quartet. Retha also was an accomplished gardener with beautiful flowers and large vegetable gardens each year. She had a great love for learning and was very astute at trivia questions.
Along with her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by brothers Arnold (Sarah) and Lawrence (Johnnie); her sisters, Dorothy (Oren) Lambert and Joyce (Henry) Wallen; brothers-in-law, James Baumgardner, J.C. Giles, and Clarence Manard; sisters-in-law, Edith Campbell Bolton and Josephine Massengill; son-in-law, JT Venable; daughter-in-law, Sherry Campbell; and several nieces and nephews.
Surviving her are sons, Ken (Kay), Mike, and Larry (Christina), and daughters, Janet Venable and Patti (Steve) Bolinger; grandchildren, Cindy, Apryl, Angy, Amy, Kim, Justin, Amanda, Heather, Kellye, Jamie, RaeNell and Savannah; 20 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; brothers John and Richard Jr. (Rose); Sisters, Barbara Giles, Shirley Manard, Ali Jean Baumgardner, Linda (Mike) Cosby, and Brenda (Doug) Venable; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and family.
The family will receive friends at Coffey Funeral Home in New Tazewell on Sunday, March 1, 2026 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with funeral to follow at 7:00 PM. Burial will be on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM in the Cave Springs Cemetery. Anyone wishing to follow in procession is asked to be at the funeral home by 10:15 AM.
Officiating: Rev. Kenny Trent and Rev. Mark Campbell
Pallbearers: Grandsons and great-grandsons
Honorary Pallbearers: Great-great-grandsons
A special thank you goes to the Claiborne Health and Rehab for the excellent care and love given to Retha and her family in her final days.
