Willie Reather Sanders-Cole was born on December 15,1928 in Glenwood, Georgia to the late Mittie and William “Boss” Robinson. Mittie had four miscarriages prior to giving birth to five healthy children, Willie Reather being that first child. Three brothers and one sister preceded her in death, George Washington Robinson, Clem Robinson, Willie Robinson Jr. and Rubye Lee Bradford.

Willie Reather accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in a creek in Newington, Georgia. She loved and served Jesus until the day she died. She moved to Cleveland, Ohio from Georgia in the early 1950s and went to work. Willie Reather was a diligent and industrious worker employed by D O Summers Dry Cleaners, Swift Dry Cleaners and Western Reserve Electronics.

Willie Reather was united in holy matrimony to Lenny Sanders in 1955. The couple moved to Twinsburg, Ohio to start their home. One child was born to this union Linda Nadine Sanders- Fitzgerald. Lenny had a son prior to his marriage to Willie Reather, Charles L Sanders whom she embraced as her own. Willie Reather had to release her beloved Lenny to the Lord on March 16, 1969, after an extended illness.

Willie Reather was a member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Twinsburg for many years. She loved to sit with the elderly, clean, cook, bake, and serve her family. She was especially famous for her “lemon cakes” which she baked until the day the LORD called her home. She passed her skills on to her granddaughter Latrea who is also a formidable cook and baker thanks to Willie Reather.

Willie Reather was united in holy matrimony to L. C. Cole on January 19, 1981. The happy couple then moved to Kosciusko, Mississippi after Mr. Cole’s retirement from Chrysler. Willie Reather joined Travel Rest Baptist Church in Mississippi and served in ministry with her husband as a Deaconess. Mr. Cole went home to be with the Lord on November 5, 2008.

Willie Reather returned to the home of her daughter and son in love after the home going of her husband. She has enjoyed the company of her grands, great grands, nephews, nieces, and family friends who visited her often. She was a blessing to many and enriched the lives of all that knew her.

Willie Reather is survived by her daughter Linda Nadine Sanders-Fitzgerald (LeRoy); three grandchildren Leroy Leonard Fitzgerald III of Twinsburg, Ohio, Latrea Lourea Fitzgerald of Twinsburg, Ohio, Lawrence Lamont Fitzgerald of Twinsburg; three great grandchildren, Leroy Leonard Fitzgerald IV, Lawrence Lamont Fitzgerald I, Zaria Fitzgerald and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends.