Reta Rose Pritchett, 93, of Taylorville, passed away at 9:05 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Taylorville Care Center. 

Reta was born February 28, 1933, in Vandalia, MO, at home, the daughter of Byron and Katie (Oestreich) Smith. She graduated from Farber High School in Farber, MO.  She met the love of her life, John “Jack” Hugo Pritchett in Vandalia, MO.  They were married on January 9, 1954.

Reta and Jack lived in Decatur from 1954 to 1960 and then moved to Taylorville. Reta was the kitchen manager at South School in Taylorville for many years and had previously worked at Hewitt School . She was a founding member of Grace Baptist Church, where she taught the Beginner’s Sunday School Class with her husband. Reta quietly and faithfully served in many capacities in the church. When not volunteering at church, Reta loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by two sons, Donald A. (Cynthia Rambo) Pritchett of Decatur and Ronald (Kelly) Pritchett of Taylorville; two granddaughters, Marguerita (Maggi) Pritchett of Taylorville and Rossi Pritchett of Edinburg; one brother, Fred Smith of Mexico, MO; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Reta was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Jack Pritchett and her parents.

Visitation will be at Grace Baptist Church, Taylorville, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 11:00 am – 12:15 pm with service immediately following. Burial will be at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Taylorville, Illinois.

Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, Taylorville; The Shadow House, Taylorville; or Loving Arms Pregnancy Center, Taylorville.

Sutton Memorial Home, Taylorville, is in charge of arrangements.