Betty Kathy Tackett, 79, passed away on January 24, 2026, at Parkview Regional Hospital. She peacefully took her journey to heaven, where she was reunited with her Lord and Savior. Kathy leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, faith, and devotion to those who knew her.
Kathy was born in Thealka, Kentucky, on October 6, 1946, to her loving parents, Bill and Irene (Bailey) Hampton. In 1963, she moved to Wabash, Indiana, where she later married Wendell Lee Tackett on July 12. Kathy and Lee shared 53 years of marriage before his passing in 2017.
Later in life, Kathy pursued college coursework at Ivy Tech in her late sixties, demonstrating her commitment to learning. She retired from Northfield High School after 38 years of dedicated service, during which she touched countless students’ lives with her kindness and care. Following her retirement, Kathy and Lee opened Aunt Kathy’s Kitchen, where she enjoyed sharing many of her favorite recipes with others. The cafe remained open until its closure following Lee’s passing.
Kathy took great pride in her daughters, Lisa and Amy, nurturing them with love, guidance, and unwavering support. She found immense joy in her grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua, Jessica, and Noah, sharing stories and playing games that created cherished memories. Her great-grandchildren, Royce, Rowan, Owen, and Eloise, brought light and happiness to her life, filling her days with laughter and love.
Kathy was a woman of deep and unwavering faith throughout her life. A devoted member of Christian Heritage Church, she served the Lord in many ways-as a Sunday school teacher, director of the children’s nursery, volunteer at church camp, and active participant in the Ladies’ Aid. She also ministered through acts of compassion, whether cooking meals, accompanying others to appointments, or visiting the sick. Kathy touched countless lives with her kindness and boundless love for her family. She will be dearly missed by her cousins, friends, and all who knew her, always remembered affectionately as Aunt Kathy.
She is survived by her children Lisa Stone, and Amy (Dave) Cole, grandchildren Jacob Hinson, Joshua (Traci) Hinson, Jessica Hinson, Noah (Rachel) Cole, Kayla (Brad) Frank, great grandchildren Royce Hinson, Rowan Hinson, Owen Cole, Eloise Cole, Kami Frank, Kasen Frank, and Tyce Frank. Sister, Chris (Frank) Barber, Sister-in-law, Jane (Paul) Meade, Sister-in-law Hannah Tackett and Brother-in-Law Curtis (Marlene) Tackett. She is preceded in death by her husband Lee Tackett, her parents Bill and Irene Hampton, her son in law Dave Stone.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave, Wabash, with Pastor Tim Prater officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 6:00 – 8 :00 pm, Wednesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial for Kathy is Christian Heritage Church.
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