Jackye Huggins Tackett left her struggles and pain of this life behind on Friday, August 7, 2026 at the age of 83. She was born to the late Adrian and Johnnye Mayes Huggins in Cotton Plant, Arkansas on March 14, 1943. 

Jackye was a 1961 graduate of Cotton Plant High School. Her chatty and fun-loving personality gain her many awards during her high school days. The ones she was most proud of was being chosen Miss Cotton Plant High School and Homecoming Queen her senior year. She was a hometown girl and was very proud of her Cotton Plant roots. She and her future husband Jesse Tackett eloped to Stillwell, OK and were married on August 9, 1966. Together they raised three children. In 1970, they moved their family to the Sandhill community near Des Arc at which time she was employed with Van Heusen Shirt factory in Des Arc. Searching for what she really wanted to do in life,she attended a few floral design classes at Ramsey’s Flower Shop in Memphis, TN. She knew immediately what her calling was. On July 1,1970, Jesse and she purchased Des Arc Florist and the rest is history. Using her God given talent, artistic ability, outgoing personality and her love for serving others, she built a flower shop that was and remains unmatched in Des Arc. When people came to the shop to place an order, they were treated as friends and not just customers. The laughs that Joy Branham, Betty Covington and she had while working were unforgettable. 

Outside the laughter and fun times that were had, she spent endless hours helping make many brides’ special day perfect as well as bringing a little joy to families mourning the loss of a loved one. She used what she learned over the years to teach others the art of floral design and making bows. She shared her life and her talent with everyone in and around Des Arc. You could bet that every item that left that flower shop had Jackye Tackett’s seal of approval on it. After twenty-six years she decided to retire from the flower business. A short time later, she went to work part-time as a substitute teacher for Des Arc High School and later full-time as the study hall teacher. During her tenure there, she mentored and help mold the lives of many teenagers. She never taught from a text book but what she taught were skills and knowledge on how to act and navigate life through sharing her life experiences with them. She was and will always be referred to affectionately as Mrs. Tackett by those she taught.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jesse; her two sons, Cal King (Mary) of Hickory Plains and Lyle King (Melinda) of Judsonia; her daughter, Carmela Tackett, of Des Arc; two grandsons, Cary King of Des Arc and Tyler King (Kelli) of Roanoke,TX; one granddaughter, Krystal Williams (Brian) of Searcy; later in life was gifted another granddaughter, Cristina O’Hanlon ofJacksonville; six great grandchildren, Ansley, Heather, and Harrison King, Isabelle, Levi and Oliver Williams; her sister, Lucretia DeMatteo of Hixson, TN; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends; and a special caregiver, Ashley Curtis. She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother-in-law, Tony DeMatteo; one nephew, Adrian “A” DeMatteo of Estill Springs, TN.