Reather Mae Warthen Bennett began life November 15, 1927 in Jefferson County, GA to the late Zachariah and Ina C. Allen-Warthen. She was born one of ten children, all of whom preceded her in death. Her parents reared her and her siblings in the church. She departed this life Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at Medical University of South Carolina Hospital.

Reather was raised and educated in Milledgeville, GA. In 1943 Reather relocated to Ridgeville, SC with her brother. While there she was joined in Holy Matrimony to the late Alva Bennett in 1944. To this union four children were born, one child preceded her in death, Loretta Gene Bennett-Rice.

In 1956 Reather relocated to New York there she worked and retired from Garden Nursing Home in Brooklyn, NY. Upon returning to South Carolina she continued to work as a home health care attendant. In 1994 Reather became a licensed foster Parent for Dorchester County. Over a hundred children were placed in her care during her years of service to Dorchester County.

Reather affectionately known as "Momma" loved her family and her community. She helped raise and opened her door to many family and friends that needed a helping hand. No favor was too big or too small and nobody left "Momma's" house hungry.

She leaves to cherish her memory two sons, Albert (Gloria) Bennett, Jr. of Willingboro, New Jersey and Randolph Bennett of Ridgeville, South Carolina; one daughter, Janie Smith of Ridgeville, South Carolina; one son-in-law, Solomon Rice of Goose Creek, South Carolina; three sisters-in-law, Florence Polite of Charleston, South Carolina, Catherine Grant of Ridgeville, South Carolina and Lillian Warthen of Greer, South Carolina; three special children whom she reared in her home, Nathaniel, Isaiah and Aaron; nine grandchildren, Charlene, Anthony, Ivy (Eugene), Akeisha, Wandina, Salina (John), Trva, Solomon and Albert III; one goddaughter, Shervey Carter of Ridgeville, South Carolina; fifteen great grandchildren; eleven great great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousin and friends.