Rita Jewell Chasteen, eighty-two years of age, met her Savior face to face on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 while at her home in Dayhoit, Kentucky surrounded by loved ones.

Rita was born on July 15, 1941 in Lothair, Kentucky to Bill and Mabel Friley Jewell. The oldest of nine children, Rita and her siblings grew up during the years following the depression. Times were very difficult for the Jewell family. Once Rita reached high school age, she and her sister were chosen to participate in an academic program for underprivileged Appalachian children through Berea College. Rita spent two years at Berea and worked as a nurse's aide at the Berea Hospital. When she returned to Hazard, she took a job at the Hazard hospital working the same position.

Rita married her soul mate and the love of her life, Oscar Chasteen, on March 27, 1965. Their love withstood the test of time and lasted 51 years, until Oscar passed in 2016. They were the loving parents of two children: Debbie and Oscar, Jr. Rita was always very protective of her family and family always came first. She made sure to take her children and grandchildren to church. While she believed in the holiness faith, Rita felt at home in any church where the Spirit of God was present. She loved her family more than anything and was especially close with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 'Mamaw' was one of her favorite titles. She also loved dearly and had a very special relationship with her son-in-law, Don, and daughter-in-law, Nettie.

Rita was outgoing, talkative, loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was an avid shopper and had perfected the art of posing in front of the camera. Her laughter could fill any room and her absence leaves a void that will never be filled but through the memories she leaves behind, Rita will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital doctors, nurses, and aides as well as the Bluegrass Navigator Hospice nurses and aides for the kind and compassionate care they extended to Rita in her final days and weeks.

Rita is preceded in death by her loving husband, Oscar Chasteen; her beloved mother, Mable Jewell; her father, Bill Jewell; four dear brothers: Herb, Mike, Rick, and Lynvell, and her in-laws, John and Mallie Chasteen.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Debbie Hensley, and husband Don; her son, Oscar Chasteen, Jr. and wife, Nettie; four grandchildren whom she adored: Chad (Leann) Chasteen, Shelley Engle, Dylan (Gabrielle) Chasteen, Donovan (Elizabeth) Hensley; four great-grandchildren who were the light of her life: Trenton and Braylee Engle and Amelia and Abigail Chasteen; two sisters: Wilma Kelly and Nola (Eugene) Maggard; two brothers: Condell (Robin) Jewell and Ken (Jet) Jewell; many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, and a host of dear friends.

Services for Rita will take place Saturday, September 16, 2023 in the chapel of Harlan Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11:00am – 1:00pm with the funeral service beginning at 1:00. Brother Frank Shope will be officiating. Rita will be laid to rest at Resthaven Cemetery, Keith KY, with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

Harlan Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ms. Rita Chasteen.