Leler "Rita" Reece, age 83, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, September 27, 2020 in Springdale, Arkansas.

Rita was born in Picayune, Mississippi on March 27, 1937 and grew up in Kiln, MS. She graduated from Kiln High School (Wild Cats) and was a standout basketball player. She was also on the girls' wrestling team which would regularly inflict punishment on the boys' team during impromptu bouts due to snide remarks/challenges from them. Occasionally the coaches found out about these unscheduled events and the boys' team would always be the ones to get detention. She worked and retired from St. Martin High School as a baker. Rita and her husband (along with their animals) moved to Newton County 15 years ago after Hurricane Katrina.

Rita was a member of the Newton County Senior Center and their Ridge Runners team. She attended Yardelle Chapel. She loved church so much that in her youth she would walk several miles to attend services. She loved being outdoors and enjoyed fishing, camping, attending gospel singings and traveling. She dearly loved all children and animals. She extremely loved and was dedicated to her family, loved everyone and never met a stranger.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John B. Ladner, Sr., and Leler O. (Redmond) Ladner; her son, Thomas E. "Rusty" Reece, Jr.; two brothers, J.L. Ladner, John B. "Boy" Ladner, Jr.; four sisters, Mary Alice Blackwell, Hilda Hayden, Violetta "Doodle" Faye, Ellender Faye, and close family friend, Don "Duck" Miller.

Rita is survived by her husband of 64 years, Thomas E. Reece, Sr. of Western Grove, AR; two daughters, Wanda Graham (husband Tommy) of Western Grove, AR, Colleen Rawlings (husband Steve) of Biloxi, MS; a brother, J.D. Ladner (wife Dianna) of Pass Christian, MS and a host of family and friends in Mississippi and many Arkansas friends who have become like family.

Due to Covid, private graveside services were held at Sand Hill Cemetery in Yardelle, Arkansas with Derwin Martin officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sand Hill Cemetery Fund, HC 32, Box 167, Hasty, Arkansas, 72640.

Arrangements under the direction of Coffman Funeral Home of Harrison.  On-line condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com .