Areta "Rita" Haden Gibson, age 86 of Gretna died Thursday, May 4, 2023 at her residence.

Born October 8, 1936 in Pittsylvania County, she was a daughter of the late Walter Parrish Haden and Mirla Cocke Haden.  Mrs. Gibson was predeceased by her brother, Clay Haden; and her brother-in-law, Billy May.

Rita lived a life of hard work in service of others. She attended Danville School of Nursing from 1955 until 1957. She would later use these skills to care for her ailing or elderly family, friends, or community members whenever they needed her. After marrying her husband, James, in 1957, she devoted herself to supporting his business daily while raising their three daughters. All the while, Rita took pride in maintaining a beautiful and meticulously clean home for her family. She was the ideal homemaker who also loved quilting and raising a beautiful garden every year. Rita cared for others in their most trying times. She showed her love by providing home cooked meals, driving elderly or sick friends and family members to doctors' appointments, delivering medication, and providing an ear to listen when it was most needed.

In addition to being the matriarch of her family and a woman who cared for her lifelong community, Rita played piano for Payneton United Methodist Church for many years and later as a member of Siloam United Methodist Church.

To know Rita was to know her love for her pets. Rita never met an animal she did not love, often taking in stray dogs and cats (even two groundhogs!) for the remainder of their lives and loving them unconditionally.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, James Gibson of the residence; three daughters, Daphne Hubbard (David) of Gretna, Jane Sams (Jeff) of Gretna, and Shelly Tantillo (Danny) of Gretna, LA; one sister, Nellie May of Somerville; three grandsons, James Kessner (Michelle) of Fort Benning, GA, Brandon Kessner (Katie) of Gretna, LA and Tyler Hubbard (Celeste) of Danville; three granddaughters, Amanda Sams of Virginia Beach, Abby Sams and fiancé, Aaron Scoville of Alexandria and Chastity Crider (Keith) of Chatham; five great-grandchildren, Taylor Kessner, Bella Kessner, Alaina Bedford, Jupiter Hubbard and Sage Crider; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all of Rita's caregivers, especially Tammy Fielder, Tammy Betterton, and Paige Morris for their dedication over the last several months. We would also like to thank Gretna Health and Rehab for taking care of Rita on many occasions, including through the pandemic, and providing a home away from home to her when it was most important. Also, a special thank you to Gretna Drug, and especially Dr. Chapman Brown, for going above and beyond to care for and be a friend to Rita and her family. Last, but certainly not least, we want to thank Rita's hospice care team for their support when it was most needed.

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 2023 at Colbert-Moran Chapel by Rev. Betty Marshall and Rev. R.G. Rowland. Burial will follow in Payneton Community Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The SPCA of Pittsylvania County, https://spcaofpittsco.rescuegroups.org/ or to Siloam United Methodist Church, 6112 West Gretna Road, Gretna, VA 24557.

Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com .