Mrs. Rita Jarrard Holcomb, 84, of East Howell Street, Hartwell, wife of the late James Linton Holcomb, Jr., passed away Friday, May 4, 2018 at her home.

Born on December 15, 1933 in Cleveland GA, she was the daughter of the late Carter and Estelle Duckett Jarrard.Rita was a 1949 graduate of Lumpkin County High School and also graduated from the University of Georgia and years later got her Masters and 6th year Degree from the University of Georgia.She taught at Tate Elementary as well as Hartwell Elementary, and after retiring, she worked part-time as a remedial and GED instructor.Rita was involved in many endeavors including her local church, First Baptist Church of Hartwell, Willing Workers Sunday School Class, Theo Oglesby Circle, Hart County Retired Teachers and the YMCA.

Survivors include her children: Martha Byram and her husband David of Chandler AZ, Betty Butler and her husband Paul of Sugar Hill GA, Jim Holcomb and his wife Cheryl of Murfreesboro TN and David Holcomb and his wife Carolyn of Royston GA.Five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren also survive.Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her daughter, Janet Holcomb of Hartwell.

A memorial service celebrating Rita's life will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Rev. Carter Tucker officiating.

The family will receive friends Friday Evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Hartwell Youth Ministry, 81 E. Howell Street, Hartwell GA 30643 or the Bell Family YMCA, 281 Opal Street Ext, Hartwell GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.