Rheaetta Farrar Wilson

Rheaetta Farrar Wilson, 78, passed away on July 19, 2025. The family will host a visitation at Shelbyville First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, July 22, 10:00-2:00, with the funeral service to follow immediately. The Rev. Eddie Watson, the Rev. Abe Zimmerman, and the Rev. Korley Carson will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosebank Cemetery, Flat Creek.
Rheaetta was born June 27, 1947, to parents Judge Mac and Mable Phillips Farrar of Flat Creek, Tennessee. She was named after a close family friend Ray Gowan, whose home and family had perished in a fire. The name Rheaetta was a nod to close friendships and devotion, a legacy she continued to live out through service to family, church, and community. She, her sister Lolly, and parents lived in a home where love was the only language spoken.
Rheaetta graduated from Shelbyville Central High School, class of '65, and received her BA from Lambuth Methodist College, where she was an initiate of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, serving as Panhellenic President. She earned her Master of Education and Masters Plus 30 from Middle Tennessee State University. Rheaetta married J. D. (Bo) Wilson December 22, 1968. After a short stint of teaching English at Lincoln County, Rheaetta and Bo returned to the family farm in Flat Creek. They and their two children, Jimbo and Sarah Mac, grew deep roots in this community, as well as Bedford County as a whole. Rheaetta's education career spanned thirty-nine years as a teacher, a counselor, and an assistant principal. She was born a Methodist and was a dedicated member of Shelbyville First United Methodist Church, where she was the Head Usher, a member of Trustees as overseer of the Martha Del Genio trust, coordinator of Rise Against Hunger, and taught an ever-growing Bible study. Inability to attend church on Sunday, July 13, because of fatigue and illness was a sure sign that all was not right. After a brief Illness, Rheaetta succumbed in the early hours of Saturday, July 19, 2025 a shock to her family and community.
In addition to a life of teaching and serving her church, Rheaetta was equally devoted to the Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library, serving on its board for fifty years. We encourage you to read the tribute posted by the library. She also served on the Board of Directors of Rosebank Cemetery, Flat Creek, currently serving as President. There are simply no better words to describe Rheaetta than, "She walked in dignity." She was a caretaker to many, especially husband Bo who had suffered major medical issues over the past thirty years. She was not only Mother but also Mentor to Jimbo and Sarah Mac. The "apple of her eye" was without question her granddaughter Emmy Rhea. Ya Ya had a consistent supply of dance pictures and videos to share. She counseled hundreds of students through lower and higher education, and she was a spiritual advisor to many. In short, she gave of herself totally, a lesson well learned from her Mother and Daddy.
Rheaetta is survived by her husband of nearly 57 years Bo Wilson, her son Jimbo Wilson, her daughter Sarah Mac Wilson Young (Waylon), and her perfect and precious granddaughter Emmy Rhea Young. In addition, she is survived by her sister Lauralyn "Lolly" Farrar Watson (Eddie), and several nieces and nephews. Perhaps niece Maggy Lynn summed it up best when as a child she named Rheaetta "Aunt Rhea My Friend." She was a friend to the world and leaves behind a deep abyss. She was preceded in death by her parents, Judge Mac and Mable Phillips Farrar, her nephew Edward Watson, and many Farrar and Phillips aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Pallbearers: P.T. (Biff) Farrar, David Farrar, Mark Farrar, David Pitner, David Segroves and John T. Bobo. Honorary Pallbearers: Rheaetta's Thursday Morning Bible Study.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Rosebank Cemetery, P O Box 1904, Shelbyville, TN. 37162; Shelbyville First United Methodist Church, 122 Public Square N., Shelbyville, TN. 37160; or the Shelbyville/Bedford County Public Library, 220 S. Jefferson, Shelbyville, TN 37160.
Doak-Howell Funeral Home is serving the family.
www.doakhowellfuneralhome.com