Retha Duncan Tarter, 66, of Madisonville, KY passed away at 9:55 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2014 at her home.

She was born on August 13, 1948 in Madisonville, KY to the late Edward Duncan and Lavena Rhew Duncan. Retha formerly worked as a certified dental assistant and retired from Glema Mahr Center for the Arts where she worked as the ticket services coordinator. She also was a volunteer coordinator at Madisonville Community College.

Retha was very active in clubs and organizations she was a member of Monday Night Bridge Club, Co-founded and chartered member of Madisonville Community College Lions Club, chairman of the Hopkins County Republican Party, President of the Kentucky Dental Assistants Association, was a Kentucky Colonel, served on the Kentucky Arts Council and ran for Hopkins County Clerk twice. She was also a member of Grapevine Baptist Church in Madisonville.

She received the Kentucky Dental Assistant Association of the Year award as well as Red Cross Volunteer of the Year, BPW Club Woman of the Year and Madisonville Lions Club Woman of the Year.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Charles "Chuck" Tarter; and her brothers, Jerry Duncan and Larry Duncan.

She is survived by her daughter, Chamala Denny of Madisonville; her son, Scott (Hope) Tarter of Newbern, TN; her sisters, Brenda Brackett of Madisonville and Lesia Pendley of Hebbardsville, KY; her brother, Casey Duncan of Martin, TN; her grandchildren, Dereck, Aaron and Jordahn Denny, Avery Abshire and Tristen Tarter; her great-granddaughter, Kodee Denny; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 25, 2014 at Grapevine Baptist Church in Madisonville with Dr. Bob Morrison officiating. Burial will be at a later date.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday at Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville and from 9 a.m. until the funeral hour Monday at Grapevine Baptist Church.