Rita Elizabeth Bettencourt-Taylor

Rita Elizabeth Bettencourt-Taylor July 10, 1933 - February 24, 2026 Rita was born in Visalia, CA and spent most of her life in Tulare County. In 1949 She moved with her husband Manuel and family to Artesia, CA and stayed there until 1955 when they moved home to Tulare. She remained in Tulare until 1996 when she and Manuel retired to Pismo/Arroyo Grande where Rita remained until 2004 when she came back to Tulare to live out the remainder of her life. Her last 12 years she alternated living between her 2 eldest daughters' homes where she was blessed to get to spend time with them, their spouses, children and grandchildren quite often. Rita spent the bulk of her life as a wife, mother and Ava'. She also spent time as a bus driver for St Aloysious Catholic school as one of the first bus drivers they had, Tulare Cit Schools and Tulare High Schools. As her girls got older, she just seemed to move up to the next level bus driver, which allowed her to spend time with her girls and make sure they stayed out of trouble. Before retiring she worked part time as customer service for Kmart in Tulare. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was a devout Christian and love and honored the Lord in all she did. For many years she could be found weekly at church, bible studies and prayer groups. She loved to travel with family and friends. While raising their girls most family vacations were spent in Pismo Beach or in whichever town her girls had to participate in a festa. Later when her granddaughter was queen she even joined them at festas when she was able to. She served on numerous organizations boards and as a member, just a few are the Catholic Daughters where she was Grand Regent in 1968, 4H groups, PTA's and also was a CCD teacher and confirmation class instructor. Rita was preceded in death by her husband Manuel Luis Bettencourt, Jr, 1949-1999 and later BW Taylor, 2004-2010, parents Manuel and Emma Vierra, mother-in-law Albertina Bettencourt-Aguiar and father-in-law Manuel Bettencourt, Sr., brothers Manuel, Johnny and Ernie Vierra and sister Mary Andrade. Rita is survived by her 6 daughters, Toni Rogers (Derrill), Renee Uzzell (Leland), Patty Bettencourt (Joe), Debbie Wilbur (Irv), Teresa Rhinehart (Mike) and Annie Dutra (Manuel), step-sons Rick and Dennis (Marlene) Taylor and step-daughter Brenda Garrison (Mike), grandchildren, Brook Brown, Manny Bettencourt, Amie Canby, Chris Uzzell, Taiya Jones, Shelley Bettencourt, Maraiyha Effertz, Michael Uzzell, Ashley Rowson, Taylor McWilliams, Theron Dutra, Hannah Dutra and Trent Dutra, 13 great grand children and 9 great-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to your Christian charity of choice in Rita's name. Visitation will be held 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Graveside services will be held 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at Tulare Cemetery, 900 E. Kern Ave., Tulare. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.