Dottie Sue (Billiter) Tackett

Dottie Sue (Billiter) Tackett, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and cherished friend, passed away in Fort Pierce, Florida, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Born on April 6, 1951, in Pikeville, Kentucky, to the late Frank and Lola Mae Billiter, Dottie was the oldest of ten children. She grew up on Greasy Creek but made her lifelong home in Virgie, Kentucky. Her life was defined by love, family, hard work, and generosity.

Growing up on Greasy Creek in a big family alongside her nine brothers and sisters, Dottie learned early the value of family, the importance of hard work, and the comfort of a good home-cooked meal. Those lessons became the foundation of the life she would build and the legacy she would leave behind. She attended Virgie High School, where she met the love of her life, Michael Bennett Tackett. What began as a young romance grew into a beautiful marriage of 54 years, built on love, partnership, laughter, and unwavering devotion. Together, they made their home in Virgie, where they raised their family and became an integral part of the community they loved.

For decades, Dottie and Mike owned and operated Tackett's Market, a familiar and welcoming gathering place for generations of families. More than just a neighborhood market, it was a reflection of the people who ran it. Dottie became something of a local celebrity for her delicious bologna salad, beautiful fruit and vegetable displays, and the generosity she extended to everyone who walked through the door. She had a way of making people feel welcome, remembered, and cared for. To know Dottie was to know that you were always welcome at her table, and quite possibly leaving with something good to eat.

Although she was the proud mother of three children, Dottie's love reached far beyond the walls of her own home. She was a mother figure to many, offering guidance, comfort, encouragement, and, when necessary, a little honest advice. She instinctively put others before herself and found joy in taking care of the people around her. Her love was not measured in grand gestures, but in the countless everyday acts of kindness that made people feel special.

A woman of many talents, Dottie could turn silk flowers into beautiful arrangements, make gorgeous bows from ribbon, preserve a harvest through freezing and canning. After retirement, she found joy in creating lovely handmade bracelets, playing card games and negotiating a good bargain at flea markets and pawn stores. But of all her many gifts, none came close to her gift for cooking. Her kitchen was a place of comfort, conversation, and unconditional love. She didn't simply cook to feed people; she cooked because feeding others was one of the ways she showed them how much she cared. For Dottie, there was always room for another plate, another chair, and another person to love.

Dottie was also a woman of great wisdom, strong opinions, and an unmistakable personality. She was never afraid to speak her mind, whether you asked for her opinion or not! She seemed to have an answer for every question and was never one to leave you wondering where she stood. Her honesty, quick wit, and straightforward nature were as much a part of her as her generous heart. She was one of a kind, and there will never be another quite like her.

Above all, Dottie treasured her family. Her greatest pride and joy were her husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, and the many loved ones who filled her life. The memories she created around dinner tables, in the aisles of Tackett's Market, at Greasy Creek family gatherings, and in the everyday moments of family life will forever remain in the hearts of those fortunate enough to share them with her.

Dottie was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Frank and Lola Mae Billiter, one sister, Paulette Newsom, and one nephew, Frank Billiter, III (Bubby).

Left to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy of love are her devoted husband of 54 years, Michael Bennett Tackett; her two sons, Michael Kirk Tackett (Shannon) and Christopher Todd Tackett (Kelly); her daughter, Angela Newsome (Colby); and her six grandchildren: four grandsons, Landon Tackett, Kirk Tackett, Clark Tackett, and Ashton Tackett; and two granddaughters, Piper Newsome and Parker Newsome.

She is also survived by her sisters, Betty Johnson (Bill), Jeanie Johnson, and Leisha Adkins (Silas); and her five brothers, Franklin Billiter (Virgie), Roy Billiter (Robin), Stacy Billiter (Mary Francis), Delbert Billiter (Paula), and Sam Billiter (Kellie); along with a host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Dottie's life was a beautiful reminder that the greatest legacy a person can leave is not measured by possessions or accomplishments, but by the lives they touch and the love they leave behind. She leaves behind a family shaped by her love, a community made better by her kindness, and countless memories that will be treasured for generations.

Though her kitchen may be quieter, her chair may sit empty, and the familiar sound of her voice may be missed more than words can express, her love will continue to be felt in every family gathering, every shared meal, every jar of pickled corn, and every act of kindness inspired by her example.

She spent her life making sure everyone else was taken care of. Now, those who loved her will carry her with them, remembering the woman who always had something cooking, something to say, and a little more love to give.

A life so generously lived and a love so deeply given can never truly be gone.

Funeral services will be held at Lucas & Son Funeral Home in Pikeville, Kentucky. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 from 7 to 9 PM. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10 AM with Billy Johnson officiating followed by burial at Annie E. Young Cemetery in Pikeville, Kentucky.