Aretha A. Atwater, 57, of Carbon Cliff, formerly of East Moline, passed away Tuesday November 17, 2020 at Genesis Medical Center Illini Campus, Silvis. Aretha was born March 5, 1963 in Cooter, MO., the daughter of Percy and Gladys Atwater.

In her young life, Aretha attended Hillcrest Elementary School, Glenview Middle School and United Township High School. It was her love for education that sent her on a journey to continue studies at Western Illinois University where she obtained her Bachelors in Information Management and later St. Ambrose University where she was capped with an M.B.A.

Aretha was selfless, kind and loved to help people. Her family fondly nicknamed her "Mother Aretha". She graciously opened her home as a foster care parent. She helped countless young people in their pursuit of higher education. She sat on the City Council for the betterment of the city of East Moline. Her many efforts were always focused on uplifting people and their circumstances.  Most importantly, Aretha accepted Jesus Christ as her redeemer early in life while attending Tabernacle Baptist Church in Moline, Illinois. The same church she attended as an adult. Aretha will be missed but never forgotten.

A Livestreamed Service will be broadcast on Monday, November 23, 2020 at 5:00pm at www.wheelanpressly.com/live-stream.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Jordan Atwater, Christine Atwater; parents, Percy and Gladys; grandchildren, Tristan Atwater and Akhari Atwater; siblings, Ann (Tony) Perry, Marla Atwater and Chris Atwater; nephews, Kairee Atwater, Dominique Atwater and Jalen Perry including a host of relatives and friends.