Rita Kay Dabbs

Rita Kay Dabbs, age 71, passed away on April 5, 2024 at her home in Knoxville with her loving family by her side. Rita was born in Lawrenceburg, TN to her parents Lewis and Geneva Sanders. She was raised in Hohenwald, TN along with her older brother Gary Sanders. She was known to hang around her parent’s family-owned grocery store and made many lifelong friendships in Hohenwald. She went to college at UT-Martin where she played basketball and graduated as a registered nurse. Rita then moved to Maryville, TN and had two sons, Russell and Ryan Dabbs who were her greatest joy until her four grand-daughters came along and stole her heart. Rita persevered through many trials including Multiple Sclerosis since early adulthood, and at the end of her life, dementia. However, through all the hardships she faced, she remained faithful to Christ as her Savior and she always kept a smile on her face, a sweet kind spirit and her love for all things UT sports related!   

Rita leaves behind her two sons’ families: Russell Dabbs (of Knoxville, TN), his fiancé Amy Lasater, and his daughters Taylor and Rylee Dabbs as well as her son Dr. Ryan Dabbs, his wife Dr. Elizabeth Dabbs and their two daughters Amelia and Caroline Dabbs (also of Knoxville, TN). Her brother Gary Sanders (of Mt. Juliet), sister-in-law Fay Sanders and nephew Scott Sanders and great niece Clara Sanders. There are so many other family and friends that she loved dearly over the years and she treasured the cards, calls and visits in the end. We take solace in knowing that on April 5th, Rita shed her wheelchair and her failing body and ran into the arms of our Savior. 

Services for Rita will be Saturday April 13, 2024 at 3:30 pm officiated by Pastor Brad Raby with a time for receiving of friends from 2:30 - 3:30 pm held at Grandview Cemetery Pavilion 2316 Graves Road Maryville, TN