Jo Rheta Ehrhardt was born the daughter of Connie Ehrhardt and Vida (Campbell) Ehrhardt on December 5, 1932, in Randolph County, Arkansas and departed this life April 8, 2014, at West Plains, Missouri at the age of 81 years.
She was united in marriage on May 20, 1948, in Alton, Missouri to Lehman Ehrhardt.
She is survived by her husband, Lehman Ehrhardt of the home in Myrtle, Missouri; two daughters, Brenda Mills and husband, Ronnie of St. Peters, Missouri and Vicky Rhoads and husband, Steve of West Plains, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Rose Ehrhardt of Alicia, Arkansas; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; one sister, Connie Jean Hackworth of West Plains, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Connie and Vida Ehrhardt; her son, Cleatus Ehrhardt; and two sisters, Marcella Smith and Anita Wicker.
Springtime was Jo Rheta’s favorite time of the year. She enjoyed her flowers blooming in the yard, gardening with Lehman, and bird watching. Most of all, she looked forward to Easter and the family all being together around the table, sharing in good conversation and enjoying one of her delicious home cooked meals. The highlight of her day was joining the grandchildren in the afternoon for their annual Easter egg hunt.
Mrs. Ehrhardt was a member of the Myrtle Free Will Baptist Church and in later years, she faithfully attended the Walnut Grove Free Will Baptist Church as long as health permitted.
She will be remembered for the love and devotion she showed to her family and will truly be missed by her family and friends.
Funeral Services will be Friday, April 11, 2014, at 2:00 PM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer with Brother Matthew Todd officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home in Thayer Thursday, April 10 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.
Burial will be in the Myrtle Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Gideon’s International and may be left at the funeral home.