Rita Louise Barnes-Pehl, age 76, of Bangs, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 9, 2023 in Abilene with her family by her side.

Rita was born on Thursday, January 30, 1947 in Columbus, Ohio to Herman F. Deckard and Opal Wright Hughes. Rita enjoyed her time working at Jay-Bill Enterprises, First Baptist Church in Bangs and the American Legion Post 308 in Bangs, all before retiring. Rita loved drag racing, where everyone knew her as “Mad Momma”. She was a member of the Concord Baptist Church in Bangs. She loved God and her church family. She enjoyed being a part of a group of ladies, called Sic-em Sisters that were her close church friends.

Rita is survived by her sons, Bradley Simpson and Jamie Simpson; step daughter Theresa Huckaby and a special dear friend Jennifer Taylor.

She was preceded in death by her son Chris Yantis, 2 husbands, Elmer Ray Barnes and Walter Pehl; 2 brothers, Gerald Overturf and Harry Deckard; 2 sisters, Susie Carpenter and Linda Lewis; 3 half-sisters.

Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net