Rita Mineer Sanford, 60, of Owensboro, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. She was born on October 13, 1965 in Owensboro, KY to the late Samuel and Scarlet Rice Mineer. She worked at Bacons, Greg’s Hallmark, and Eyemart before becoming a stay-at-home mom.
In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her brother, Gary Mineer; and sister, Melinda Taylor.
Survivors include her husband, Tom Sanford; son, Sam Sanford; brother, Richard Mineer; 8 nieces and nephews, Wesley Ball, Nathan Ball, Jessica Campbell, Krystal Dixon, Tiffany Mineer, Tennille Mineer, Fallon Richards and Kendall Mineer; several great-nieces and nephews; uncle, Carrol Rice (Marion); aunt, Ruth Rice; many cousins including, Karen Ranburger, Sharon Kassinger, Tracy Rice and Vickie Whitaker.
Funeral services will be at 2:00pm on Monday, January 19, 2026 at James H. Davis Funeral Home & Crematory. Private family burial will be at Green River Memorial Gardens in Livermore. Visitation will be from 10:00am until the time of the service on Monday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to OCTC Foundation, c/o Capital Bluegrass & Traditional Music, 4800 New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303.