Esther Benton Reding

After living a long and blessed life, Esther Benton Reding of Wharton passed away on February 15, 2016, at age 98. Born on June 16, 1917, in Waller County near the community of Fields Store, to Dora Deweese Benton and Dozier Cleveland Benton, Esther grew up on a farm in the Eastgate community in Liberty County. While growing up, she not only helped her mother in the home but also helped her father with his farm and cattle. She also developed a strong competitive spirit that she exhibited to the end of her life. She graduated from Dayton High School, and after graduating from business school in Houston, she moved to Wharton and worked as a secretary. She married Johnnie Albany Reding in 1937. They enjoyed a happy marriage until his death in 1990. Both Johnnie and Esther were active in the First Baptist Church of Wharton as long as they were physically able. They had two children, John Thomas Reding and Rosalyn (Cookie) Reding Paul. Esther worked for 20 years as secretary for the superintendent of the Wharton Independent School District. Esther was also a great homemaker, and enjoyed cooking, sewing, crocheting, and embroidering. After retirement in 1973, she and Johnnie fished, played bridge, traveled, square-danced, and enjoyed their grandchildren. After Johnnie died in 1990, Esther became good friends with Linnie Weigel of Wharton, and the two traveled, played bridge, and enjoyed Esther’s great-grandchildren. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter; brother Leonard Benton; sister Velda Benton; and sister Alma Lee Bowles. She was also preceded in death by her friend Linnie Weigel, who was like a sister to Esther. Esther is survived by her sister June Hollingsworth of Wharton; son John Reding and his wife Carolyn of Dallas; son-in-law Marvin Paul of Corsicana; granddaughter Elizabeth Gambrell and her husband Eric of Dallas; granddaughter Theresa Reding of Austin; granddaughter Paulette Bonorden and her husband Robert of Smithville; grandson Johnny Smallwood and his wife Angela of Flint; great-grandchildren Eleanor, Luke and Sarah Rose Gambrell of Dallas; Jesse Joseph Galvan and his wife Lauren of Bastrop; Matthew Gregory of Hesston, Kansas; William and Abigail Gregory of Smithville; Patrick and Ashley Smallwood of Flint; great-great-grandchild Jesse Cohen Galvan of Bastrop; and numerous nieces and nephews. Esther’s family thanks the staff of Elmcroft of Wharton, where Esther lived for the last eight years, for providing a comfortable living environment. The family thanks her caretakers who helped Esther enjoy her last five years. These include especially Whitney Catharan, who was Esther’s primary caretaker for the last four years, Mickey Cerillo, Janell Morgan, Netta Bridgewater, and Crystal Knight. The family also thanks the doctors and nurses who cared for Esther, and in particular, Valerie Cheatham. Finally, the family thanks Hospice Support in El Campo for their care in Esther’s final days. A funeral service honoring Esther will be held at First Baptist Church of Wharton at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 21. Visitation at the church will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. The service will be conducted by Brother Tony Wishert. Pallbearers will be Esther’s nephews Larry Hollingsworth and Mickey Krenek, and her great-grandsons Joseph Galvan, William Gregory, Patrick Smallwood, and Luke Gambrell. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Wharton or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Wharton Funeral Home.