Aletha May Rector

Aletha May Rector, a renowned sculptor from Melbourne, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, in Palm Bay, Florida. Born on May 15, 1936, in Melbourne, she first learned the fundamentals of working with clay while living on the island of Okinawa. Over the years, she refined these early lessons into her own distinctive style and technique.

Aletha sculpted each creature in clay before pit-firing them to create their unique colors and textures. Her deep love of nature inspired lifelike yet whimsical figures with expressive personalities that earned widespread admiration. She often rose early to walk the beach and witness the annual sea turtle hatchlings, drawing inspiration directly from the natural world unfolding around her. She played a key role in establishing the nonprofit Art Affirmative in the Eau Gallie Arts District, located in the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery.

Aletha is survived by her son and daughter, their spouses, two granddaughters, and two great-grandsons. She leaves behind a lasting legacy of art and love.