Reatha Lator

Reatha Lillian Lator, age 101, of Ashley, MI, passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at Sparrow Health Systems, Lansing, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, December 17, 2021, with Pastor Jeff Reser officiating.  Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2021 from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Reatha was born in Wheeler, Michigan on November 19, 1920, the daughter of Philo William Finch and Mabel Beatrice (Hock) Finch.  Reatha married Julius Lator Jr. on November 29, 1946.  Julius passed away on October 17, 1991.

Reatha retired from Wolverine Shoe Factory in Ithaca.  She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and attending craft shows to sell her homemade items. She loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Reatha was a lifelong member of the Free Methodist Church in St. Johns where she also taught Sunday school for many years. After the Free Methodist church closed she had attended East Washington United Brethren Church in Ashley.

She is survived by her daughters: Barbara and Bruce Monroe of Ann Arbor, MI; Sandy and Marvin Sperry of St. Johns, MI; grandchildren: Dean and Sara Sperry of St. Johns, MI; Kurt and Traci Sperry of St. Johns, MI; Amber Sperry of DeWitt, MI; great-grandchildren: Bella, Abby, Zander, Jerni, Kamri, Dayton, and Aylei, and sister-in-law Ruth Lator of St. Johns, MI.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Julius, and many sisters and brothers.

Memorials may be made to East Washington United Brethren Church, Ashley, MI 48806. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.