Reathie M. Ritter

Smithville- Reathie Melissa Benton Ritter, 96, died Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center. Born August 30, 1916, in a log cabin, in the Clay Hill area of Cason Community, she was a daughter of the late Reason Clifford Benton and Latchie Pell Rollins Benton. She married Everette Eldridge Ritter May 8, 1935.

A lifelong resident of Monroe County, Mrs. Ritter graduated Pine Grove School and was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. For over 45 years she was a devoted wife to her husband and children. Living on the farm, helping her husband in the fields, taking care of the livestock, and raising her children was a great accomplishment for her. She was very devoted, often being the first person up and last person to bed at night, making sure her family’s need were met. She enjoyed sewing clothes for her family, making her prized quilts for her grandchildren, family get togethers, watching TV 39, reading, and taking family vacations to the Great Smokey Mountains. She will best be remembered by her family as always giving of herself.

She is survived by her daughters, Charlotte Ann Ritter, Amory, Mary Carolyn Wren (Henry), Mantachie, Pamela Susan Wesson (Ron), Mantachie; sons, Jimmie H. Ritter (Betty), Smithville, Robert Everette Ritter (Elizabeth), Athens Community; grandchildren, John Ritter (Susan), Justin West (Brandy), Malone Wren, Scott Wren, Leigh Ann Burt (Richard). Deanna Wesson; great grandchildren, Steven Wren, Brittni Holley (Chris), Britney James, Tiffany Ritter, Drew West, Lily West; great great grandchildren, Hunter Sarten and Caleb Wren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by a daughter, Bettye Rebecca Ritter, sister, Ruby Hall, brother, Robert Benton, and a niece Nell Dean.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 PM, Monday, January 21, 2013 at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home with Bro. Terry Benton and Bro. Truman Carter officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Billy Branham, Joe Benton, Malone Wren, John Ritter, Scott Wren, and Justin West. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Benton and Buddy Sullivan.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 5PM-8PM, at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.