Marcia Mathews Reichert

Marcia Mathews Reichert, age 88, of Newberry, S.C., passed away peacefully in the presence of her loving husband, Jack, on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Newberry Health Hospital.

Born September 12, 1937, in Andalusia, Ala., she was the daughter of the late Byron and Georgia Lowman Mathews. She married Jack Edward Reichert on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1960, and they just recently celebrated their 66th anniversary.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, May 7, 2026, 11 a.m., at Central United Methodist Church by the Rev. Keith Stewart. The family will receive family and friends at 10 a.m., in Henry Hall at the church.

The Fellowship Class at Central United Methodist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Marcia is survived by her husband of 66 years, Jack E. Reichert; two daughters, Lynn Kutter (Kevan) and Laura Adams (Stephen); two brothers, Max Mathews (Sandra) and Bryon B Mathews, Jr.; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, seven nieces and nephews.

Marcia grew up in Andalusia, Ala., and was named Homecoming Queen her senior year at Andalusia High School. She graduated from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala., married and moved around following Jack's career with the U.S. Forest Service. No matter what community she lived in, Marcia was a faithful member of the Methodist Church and volunteered her time to serve the church and help others.

She dedicated her life to teaching math in the public school system and was known for going the extra mile to help her students. She began her teaching career in Alabama and taught in Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina, and then finally back to Alabama where she retired from teaching, before moving back to her hometown of Andalusia. As a testament to how she loved serving others, she was named the Citizen of the Year for Andalusia in 2005.

Marcia knew how to “work” a room and it was a family joke that she must be running for some office. Her personal interest in others was genuine and she always made an effort to greet others wherever she was and to make them feel welcome. She spent many hours sending cards, letters, and emails to encourage others, offer birthday wishes, and thoughts of well-being.

Her interest over the years included tennis, bridge, the beach, walking, taking lots of pictures with her phone, and growing many plants. Many times, she could be seen walking along the road with a bag in hand to pick up trash.

She and Jack moved back to Newberry in July 2019, to live at Springfield Place and be closer to their daughter Laura. Marcia reunited with her Central family and also immersed herself quickly into the community of Springfield. She made many friends in both the assisted living and the independent living facilities and touched so many hearts. She treated everyone the same, residents and employees alike, and continued encouraging others, even when she was not feeling well herself.

Memories and messages of condolence may be shared with the family on Marcia’s tribute page.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Reichert family.