Obituary – Rita G. Hubbard
Rita Gwen Walker Hubbard, 78, a 1965 graduate of Licking High School, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, surrounded by her children.
Rita was born December 8, 1947, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Leota Jeffries Walker and Roscoe “Junior” Walker. She was raised by her mother and stepfather, Howard Blankenship, whom she lovingly called Dad, in Licking, Missouri. After graduating from Licking High School, she attended the College of the Ozarks on scholarship, where she met Jimmy “Jim” Hubbard Sr.
Rita and Jim later attended the University of Arkansas, where they married and began their life together. They eventually settled in Bismarck, Arkansas, where they raised their four children. After her children were in school, Rita returned to college and earned her bachelor’s degree in social work with honors from Henderson State University.
Rita loved her home in Bismarck. She tended a large garden, canned vegetables, made homemade jellies, raised farm animals, and welcomed family, friends, neighbors, and church members into her home. There was always room for one more person at Rita’s table, particularly someone who might otherwise spend a holiday alone.
Her Christian faith was central to her life. Rita read her Bible daily, faithfully attended church and Bible studies, taught Sunday school, and shared her faith with her children and grandchildren. She lived that faith through service to others, volunteering with the American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, shelters for women and children, and visiting those who were elderly or alone.
Rita was devoted to her family and rarely missed an opportunity to support her children and grandchildren, traveling to sporting events, graduations, races, military celebrations, and other milestones. Her grandchildren called her “Nandy,” a name that became beloved throughout the family.
Rita will be remembered for her faith, generosity, hospitality, and devotion to family.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Leota; her father, Roscoe; and her stepfather, Howard. She is survived by her children, Jimmy Hubbard (Ellen), Billy Hubbard (Rachel), Melissa Hurst Bravo (Eric), and Christopher Hubbard; grandchildren, Emily Hurst, Garland Hurst (Piper), Bronley Hubbard, Brooklyn Hubbard, and Ethan Hubbard; siblings, Judy Tollison (Leon), Donald Blankenship (Lana), and Michael Walker (Debbie); and many nieces and nephews.
The family is grateful to the staff of Wellington Woods Memory Care in Little Rock for their loving care of Rita.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Licking Christian Church, 318 N. Main St., Licking, Missouri. All are welcome to attend and join Rita’s family in remembering her life. Rita’s nephew, Pastor Scott Breedlove, will officiate, with music by Malachi Bowman, Shauna Blankenship Young, and Gabe Pace, of Little Rock.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Second Chance Youth Ranch at http://2cyr.org/.
