Ms. Reta F. Earley Yanez, age 71, of Chatsworth, Georgia, departed this life Friday morning, January 30, 2026, at Hamilton Medical Center.

Reta was born January 28, 1955, in Chatsworth, Georgia, a daughter of the late Luther P. and Mary Jewell Ponders Earley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved older sister, Reia Earley Dobbs, who passed away on January 28, 2011; her grandparents, Jep and Berthie Allison Earley, and Lawrence and Roxie Southerland Ponders; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins to whom she was very close.

A 1973 graduate of Murray County High School, Reta dedicated over forty-five years of faithful service to Mohawk Industries before retiring. She never missed a day of work and was known by all who knew her as a hardworking, dependable, and genuinely good person whose life was lived for her family and for others.

Reta was a true believer in Jesus Christ and accepted Him at a very young age. Her faith guided every aspect of her life. Alongside her parents and sister, she was a member of The Singing Earley Family, sharing Southern Gospel music at churches and at countless funerals over the years. Reta often spoke of how her father never accepted any gratuity for singing at funerals, no matter how far they traveled, because it was an act of love and service for grieving families. Carrying on that legacy, Reta used her God-given talent as an accomplished guitarist and vocalist to comfort and uplift others.

Above all else, Reta adored her family. She deeply loved her grandchildren and cherished her great-grandson, finding her greatest joy in time spent with them. Her life was marked by kindness, generosity, humility, and a heart devoted to helping others.

Reta is survived by her daughter, Rose Earley (Vidoe Hall) of Rocky Face, Georgia; grandchildren, Eddie Luke and Elizabeth Love and their son, Damon Love of Chatsworth, Georgia, and Ebony Jewell Love of Rocky Face, Georgia; brother-in-law, Dean Dobbs; nieces, Angie and Gib Tannehill, and Andrea Dobbs; great-nephews, Alex Baines, and Andrew and Braxton Baines; great-great-niece and nephew, Bregan Baines and Phoenix Baines, all of Coker, Alabama; aunt and uncle, Anna and Wayne Harkins of Chatsworth, Georgia; former son-in-law, Robert Love of Dalton, Georgia; lifelong friend, Gina Jones Walker of Calhoun, GA; and many loving cousins.

Services to celebrate the life of Ms. Reta Earley Yanez will be held Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with Brother Jerry Stewart officiating. She will be laid to rest with her family at Smyrna Baptist Church Cemetery in Murray County, Georgia. Pallbearers honored to serve include Robert Love, Chastan Love, Steve Stewart, Eddie Love, Christian Stewart and Vidoe Hall.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening and after 10:00 a.m. Thursday until the service hour.

Click here to view the livestream for Reta Faye Earley.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, Georgia 30721. For more information, please visit www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org.