Willard Lewis "Speedy" Tackett

Willard Lewis "Speedy" Tackett, age 72, of Willard, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 surrounded by his family. Born June 27, 1952, in McDowell, KY, he was one of fifteen children born to the late Arville and Caroline (Moore) Tackett. Speedy would eventually move to Ohio.
Willard was a jack of all trades, working primarily as a mechanic, but always willing to help anyone with anything. He enjoyed scratching lottery tickets, listening to music, watching westerns, and junkin'. Family, and friends he treated like family, were the single most important thing to Speedy. He cherished family gatherings and cookouts, as well as spending any time he could with his grandchildren. Speedy always made sure to keep in touch with those he loved and ensured that they knew how special they were to him, even if it was a phone call at an inopportune moment or following them on "gossip book," as he called FaceBook.
Speedy is survived by his beloved wife of 22 years, Fayetta (Rowe); children, Arville (Gail) Tackett of Carleton, MI, Trina (Dean) McLaughlin of Dayton, TN, Loretta (Manuel) Sparks of Tiro, OH, and loved as his own, Melissa (Ray) Rice, of Rockwood, TN; 28 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Stacey Tackett of Willard, OH; and siblings, Johnny (Anna) Tackett of Willard, Hillard (DoyleAnn) Tackett of FL, Joe (Ella) Tackett of Drift, KY, and Green Hall of McDowell, KY. A compassionate man, Speedy loved deeply and is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends who he was close to.
In addition to his parents, Arville and Caroline Tackett, Speedy was preceded in death by his sons, Jerry DeWayne Tackett, and Jerry Tackett Jr.; and several siblings.
Family and friends are invited to visitation for Speedy on Monday, February 3, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Freewill Baptist Church, 670 Keefer Rd., Willard, OH 44890. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, also at the church, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with interment taking place in Greenwood Cemetery immediately following the ceremony.
The Eastman Funeral Home in New London, OH is honored to assist the family with their arrangements. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.eastmanfuneralhome.com.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Willard "Speedy" Lewis Tackett, please visit our floral store.