Zelma Rita Jacks Stuckey of Bentonville Arkansas Died February 18, 2024, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. Rita was a long-time resident of Sheridan.  She was born September 16, 1929, in the New Home Community of Cleveland County, Arkansas, a daughter of the late Thomas (Tom) William and Mellie Ione Linzy Jacks.

After graduating from Glendale High School in 1948, Rita attended Arkansas A & M College, (now University of Arkansas at Monticello), receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1952.

Rita taught school in the Selma, Benton, Texarkana, and Sheridan School Districts.  After Teaching for 28 years, she retired from Sheridan High School in 1985.

Rita was an active member of Sheridan First United Methodist Church, Jack Williams Sunday School Class and United Methodist Women.  She was a member of Grant County Retired Teachers Association, Arkansas Retired Teachers Association and Delta Kappa Gamma.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Algeon Lester Stuckey, who died October 9, 2008; and by a brother Wilbur Jacks, three sisters, Jewel McCoskey, Lula Mae McBryde, and Hazel Rodgers and her husband Bobby Rodgers; by a niece Beverly Jacks and by two brothers-in-law Monroe Stuckey and his wife Helen , and Frank Stuckey and his wife Nannie.

Survivors include one son, Paul Wayne Stuckey and his wife Carol of Bentonville, Arkansas; one daughter Mary Kay Willard and her Husband Tommy of Texarkana Arkansas; Grandsons Shawn and Michael Willard of Texarkana; Granddaughters Rebecca Stuckey of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Rachel (Ash) Waynick and her Daughter Willow both of Reno, Nevada; a brother Bennie Jacks and his wife Margaret of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; two sisters Mary Parker and her husband Bobby, Carolyn Simmons and her husband Toby of Pine Bluff Arkansas; a sister-in-law Patsy Jacks of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; a Brother-in-law Donnie McCoskey and his wife Carolyn of Monticello, Mississippi; as well as many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 26, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Sheridan First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Todd-Paul Taulbee officiating.  Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Sheridan.  Visitation will be held, just prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the church.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church C/O Building Fund or Memorial F und, P.O. Box 357, Sheridan Arkansas 72150