Rita Louise Decker Toms, a beloved mother, grandmother, and dear friend, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, at the age of 62, surrounded by her loving family. Born on October 7, 1963, in Leitchfield, Kentucky, she was a daughter of the late Horace and Gracie Meredith Decker.
Rita was a remarkable homemaker who dedicated her life to her family, always ensuring her home was a place filled with love and warmth. For six courageous years, she fought valiantly against stage 4 liver cancer, constantly putting her family’s needs above her own. Her greatest concern was for the well-being of her loved ones, as she tirelessly worked to keep everything in order, ensuring they were always taken care of.
She is preceded in death by her parents and several siblings, including brothers Roy, Kenneth, and Troy Wayne Decker, sisters Lorraine Smith, Loretta Woodcock, and Joyce White, as well as her cherished niece, Betsy Morris.
Rita’s spirit will live on in the hearts of her husband of 47 years, Odell Toms, Jr.; her daughter, Amy Blankenship (Joe); and her four sons, Troy, Matthew (Lily), Chris (Shelly), and John (Samantha). She is also survived by her loving siblings, Oma Decker and Cosetta Gibson, and brothers Randall, Sherman, and Everett Decker. Rita leaves behind a legacy of love, reflected in her twenty-four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who will remember her fondly for her nurturing nature and passion for family gatherings.
Rita’s family will honor her life with funeral services on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Anneta United Baptist Church, where Bro. Malcolm Doyle will officiate. Friends and family will gather for visitation starting Monday at 4:00 PM, lasting through until service time on Wednesday, providing an opportunity to share memories, laughter, and love as they remember the incredible woman Rita was.
Following the service, she will be laid to rest in Anneta Church Cemetery, a final resting place surrounded by the beauty she cherished.
In this time of remembrance, the family appreciates your love and support, and condolences can be left at www.leitchfieldfh.com. Rita will forever be missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing he
