November 11,1938 – October 14, 2024

A graveside service for Alta Rhea Thompson Westmoreland, 85, of Canton, was held Friday, October 18, 2024, at Haven of Memories with John Crow and Mark Robinson officiating. A visitation was held prior to the service at Eubank Funeral Home.

Alta Rhea passed away peacefully, October 14, 2024, in Canton. She was born November 11, 1938, in the Jackson Community to Jesse Bob “Tobe” Thompson and Ruth A. Jeter Thompson.

She attended school in Canton where she proudly became a high school majorette and drum major for the Canton High School band. After graduating from high school, she attended Kilgore College where she was a Kilgore Rangerette. The opportunity to travel and perform led to many cherished memories for her and her family. After finishing Kilgore College, she transferred to East Texas State University in Commerce. She met and married Julian Tucker. Beginning a family, they lived in Sherman and shortly thereafter, moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico for three years. Life then took her to Houston before she returned to her home in Canton with Sandi and Judy.

Alta Rhea settled back in Canton. She married Benny Westmoreland in 1980 and had 45 wonderful years together, where they shared many adventures and endeavors. Their blended family had many years of joy and laughter shared in the Jackson community. Alta Rhea and Benny travelled often. Finding a love for the coastal area, they began spending their winters in Port Aransas with wonderful friends and summers back in East Texas in their home on Cedar Creek Lake.

Alta Rhea had many interesting jobs throughout her life. She managed the Van Zandt Country Club for several years. Later, she became a caretaker for her brother and while caring for him in her spare time opened a successful business, Jolly Tamale, where she was known for her homemade tamales. She and Benny retired and enjoyed their lives traveling and sharing time with family.

Alta Rhea is preceded in death by her parents, Tobe and Ruth Thompson; brother, Bobby Thompson; and son in law, Robert Goodner.

Alta Rhea is survived by her husband of 45 years, Benny Westmoreland; daughters and their husbands: Terri and Carlos Gould, Sandra and John Chaplin, Judy Goodner, Kristin and Scott Walker, Leigh Ann and Henry Jaquez, and Marcie and John Crow. Thirteen grandchildren: Michael McMahan, Morgan Roberts, Aleisha Gould, Tyler Chaplin, Dillon Chaplin, Cassie Goodner Hubble, Coley Goodner, Jessica Machovoe, Amanda Ward, Justice Fincher, Holeigh Emerson, Marcus Jaquez and Sophia Darnell; and 10 great grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers were John Chaplin, Mike Jackson, Michael McMahan, Mick Roberts, Carlos Gould, Scott Walker, Henry Jaquez, Marcus Jaquez, and Wayne Jeter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you donate to your favorite charity.