Rita Faye Sardo

Rita Faye Sardo-Stephens, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 3, 2025. She was born on August 30, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, to the late Gordon Elmo Stephens and Velma Marie Boatman-Stephens of Michigan.
Rita is survived by her daughter, Susan & Stephen Kent of Pensacola, Florida, formerly of Cookeville, Tennessee, where Rita lived for the past 47 years. She was preceded in death by her brother, Gordon Gene Stephens, and her eldest daughter, Rose Marie Sardo, whom she lovingly cared for until her passing in 2018.
She leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Gordon Sardo of Cookeville, Cameron Sardo of Hermitage, Christina, Jason, and Kyleigh Kent of South Carolina, Chase & Caitlin Jones of Cookeville, Isaac & Emily Kent of Montana, Annie Kent, Adam Kent, Luke Kent, and Ellie Kent, all of Kentucky, and Dustin Walden. She was also blessed with many great-grandchildren: LaShea Strode, Ryker Strode, Paisley Jones,Presley Jones, Brody Jones, Noah Elliott, Charlotte Jones, Kenlee Sardo, Ryder Sardo, Addilynn Walden, Graclynn Walden, and Callahan Kent. She also leaves behind her niece, April Stephens-Wiseman of Michigan, and many cousins and extended family members who will miss her dearly.
Before retiring, Rita worked for the McGugin family at the former Shell Mini Mart in Algood, Tennessee. She also worked as an inspector for McCord Winn Textron in the automotive industry and at Dixie Home Furniture in Cookeville during her early years in Tennessee.
Rita was a woman of many interests and talents. She loved spending time outdoors, tending to her flowers, gardening, fishing, camping, and bowling. But above all, her greatest joy was her family. She devoted her life to raising her daughters and caring for her loved ones with a heart full of love and grace.
Those who knew Rita will remember her kindness, laughter, and unwavering compassion. She never met a stranger and had a way of making everyone feel loved and seen. Her strength and positivity shone even through life's hardest moments.
More than anything, Rita's life was defined by her deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. She was a proud member of The Bend Church in Cookeville and dearly loved her pastors, Shane and Pam Warren. Rita was a bold witness for the Lord - a true soul winner who shared the gospel with everyone she met. She often said that God never failed to provide for her and her family, and her greatest desire was that others would come to know Him personally.
Rita faced her final days with peace and confidence, ready to meet her Savior. Her family finds comfort knowing she is now rejoicing in Heaven, completely healed and whole.
As Rita would want everyone to remember:
Romans 10:13 - "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
The family has chosen to honor Rita's life with a private memorial service at a later time.