Arletha Ricketson Tate

Arletha Ricketson Tate, 94, of the Snipesville, GA community died peacefully on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. She was born on December 15, 1931, to Robert and Fannie Lott Ricketson as the ninth of twelve children and was the last surviving.

Arletha devoted her life to caring for her family and her friends. She found immense joy in spoiling her grandchildren and great grands. Known for her servant heart, she was a faithful member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. She created beautiful birthday and wedding cakes for many individuals in the community. She was well known for her great cooking; especially cinnamon rolls and apple tarts (better known as “preacher pies”). She enjoyed collecting angels and dolls and shopping at her local Mission store. She was always in pursuit of a bargain. She faithfully read her Bible daily. Even when her mind declined, she continued to be concerned about getting to church.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, James Tate; her parents, Robert and Fannie Lott Ricketson; her eleven siblings: Vilas Ricketson, Mary Alice Ricketson, Ivella Smith Gillum, R T Ricketson, Dorothy Griffin Thurman, Ruby Johnson, Juanita Foskey, J.M. Ricketson, Wanell McCallum, Waymon Ricketson, and Charles (Duppy) Ricketson, and a special nephew, Rob Foskey.

She is survived by her son, James Emory (Betty Sue) Tate; her daughter, Shari (Chris) Johnson; her grandchildren: Jamie (Becky) Tate, Andy (Candice) Tate, Jonathan (Kayla) Johnson, and Aimee (Josh) Kaltenbach; her great grands: Jay, Drew, Peyton, and Jaxon Tate, Andrew, Caroline, Lydia, and Julianne Johnson, and Robert and Caleb Kaltenbach; two special sisters in law: Kay Francis Ricketson and Dot Ricketson, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

The family greatly appreciates the loving, compassionate, and faithful care of the staff of Wing 3 at McRae Manor nursing home. Community Hospice of Vidalia also provided wonderful support during her last year of life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Visitation will be held one prior to her Celebration of Life. Burial will be in the Hazlehurst City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Ricketson, Donnie Ricketson, Marcus Ricketson, Randy Ricketson, Jamie Tate, and Andy Tate.

Her son-in-law, Chris Johnson, along with her grandchildren Aimee Kaltenbach and Jonathan Johnson, will provide the music.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church or Community Hospice of Vidalia.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Swain Funeral Home.