Retha A McCandless

A visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday at College Avenue Baptist Church, Normal, with the Rev. Clark Killingsworth officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to College Avenue Baptist Church, Normal, or the McLean County Humane Society, Normal. Condolences may be shared with the family at eastlawn-bloomington.com.

Retha was born Jan. 22, 1925, in Goldbug, Ky., the daughter of Harvey and Lydia Meadows. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Ira Peterson and Uvell McCandless; two brothers, Estil and Bill Meadows; three stepdaughters, Rose, Dorothy and Mary; and many other beloved family members and friends, most recently Marjorie Martin, her sister in Christ.

She is survived by two daughters, Naomi Reed, Knoxville, Tenn., and Evelyn Peterson, Bloomington; two grandchildren, Bucky and Jill; nephews and nieces; and several step-grandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.

Retha worked at various jobs in her life, most prominently several years at Singer Sewing Machine Co. in Bloomington, Brokaw Snack Bar in Normal and as a dorm mother at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Ky.

She was a member of College Avenue Baptist Church for more than 40 years. She loved God, her church, children and animals with a passion. She loved people and never met a stranger. She will be greatly missed.