REATHA MAE I. CHINA
Reatha Mae Ingram China's season in life came to an end on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, but we know that she began an eternal life with God on that day.
Reatha was born on Sept. 17, 1951, in Allendale, to the late Deacon Norman and Mae Dell Foreman Ingram. She accepted Christ as her personal savior and was baptized and joined Mt. Hope Baptist Church of Martin. While there, she was a member of the usher board. She was educated in the public schools of Allendale and Beaufort counties, graduating with the class of 1970 from C.V. Bing High School. She continued her education at Morris College, where she majored in mathematics and minored in special education. After graduating with her Bachelor of Science Degree, Reatha's educational experience allowed her to serve as a math teacher, counselor assistant and a librarian assistant in Sumter County schools. Reatha expanded her career into the fast food industry, where she worked as manager for South Central Foods and general manager for Wilker Enterprises Inc. for Hardee's.
In March 1991, Reatha married the love of her life, Norman O. China. They enjoyed spending time with family and worshiping God.
Cherishing fond memories are her daughter, Sheila Ingram of Lexington; her son, Brian Ingram of Sumter; five grandchildren, Morgan, Br'yell, Ty'yell, Ny'riell and Demara; two sisters, Dorothy E. Oakes of Missouri City, Texas, and Mary L. (Cleveland) Washington of Barnwell; three brothers, Robert M. (Sandra) Ingram of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Lee A. (Prudence) Ingram of Lilburn, Georgia, and Daniel C. Ingram of Martin; five aunts, Alstyne F. Smith of Greensboro, North Carolina, Edna Foreman of West Palm Beach, Florida, Edith Grace Foreman of Aiken, Charles Ann Foreman of Flushing, New York, Anna F. Stallings of Aiken, Emma Belle Foreman of Riverside, California, and Dorothy M. Salters of Conyers, Georgia; three uncles, the Rev. Robert Ingram Sr. of Hollywood, Florida, Brooks (Romelle) Ingram Sr. of Allendale and Willie (Ellen) Riley of Martin; sisters-in-law, Bessie (the Rev. Joshua Dupree) and Gwendolyn China, both of Sumter; brothers-in-law, the Rev. Robert (Gail) China, Hugh (Kathie) China and Austin Dexter China, all of Sumter, and Gerald (Dale) China of Atlanta; one aunt-in-law, Mattie White of Brooklyn, New York; one uncle-in-law, Joe Louis China of Miami; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Norman Ingram Jr.
Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job's Mortuary.
Mrs. China will be placed in the church at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday for viewing until the hour of service.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at First Baptist Missionary Church, 219 S. Washington St., Sumter, with Pastor George Windley Jr., eulogist, and the Rev. Robert China officiating.
Interment will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home, 102 Thelma St., Sumter.
Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.
Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.