Doretha S. Bannister, 73 of Nanjemoy, Maryland.

Doretha Sampson Bannister was born in Clinton, North Carolina to the late Lawrence B. (Sam) and Stella Cox Sampson on June 5, 1948.
Doretha confessed her life to Christ at an early age at her family church in North Carolina. She graduated from Sampson High School on June 19, 1966. Doretha furthered her education by attending Sampson Technical Institute. She graduated in 1968 earning an Associate Degree in Business Administration.

After graduating college, Doretha moved to Maryland with her brother, the late Napoleon (Nick) Sampson. This is where she met and married the love of her life, William (Bob) Bannister. Doretha worked at the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C. While there, she received numerous awards and recognitions. Doretha was blessed to retire in 2003 after 34 years of faithful service.

Doretha was an active member of Mt. Hope Missionary Baptist Church serving in various ministries down through the years. Her last assignment was serving actively as a Deaconess.

Doretha was lovingly known as "Rita" by her family and friends growing up in North Carolina. She loved spending time with them all and looked forward to occasions that brought them together. She enjoyed traveling and spending quality time with her grands and great grands. Doretha had a great passion for flowers and would work tirelessly in her beautiful yard which flourished with amazingly vibrant colors.

Early, Thursday morning, March 10, 2022 at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, Maryland, Doretha Sampson Bannister went home to be with the Lord.

In addition to her parents, Doretha was preceded in death by her brothers, Nathaniel, Lawrence, Napoleon (Nick), Howard and Raymond Sampson.

Doretha's memories will be cherished by her husband of 52 years, Deacon William A. Bannister; two sons, Aaron Ray, Sr., and Vincent Odell Bannister; daughter-in-law, Stephanie; three grandchildren, Kearra, Monica, and Aaron Bannister, Jr.; four great-grandchildren, Skylah and Daryl Wilson, Jr., and Mason Odell and Nasir Bannister; sister, Viola Rich; brother, Matthew Sampson; sisters-in-law, Janet Brawner and Paulette Walder (Stephen); brothers-in-law, Jonathan (Doretha A.) and Brad Bannister and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Viewing, 9:00 a.m. until time of Service, 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 18, 2022 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.  Interment, Mt. Hope Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 8705 Gilroy Road, Nanjemoy, Maryland 20662.

On Friday, March 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. please click on the link below to live stream the service.

Please make sure when viewing the services that the volume located in the right lower corner (where it says "live") on the viewing screen is turned up (the bars should be blue).

The streaming will begin after the final family viewing.  Therefore, there may be a delay before the service appears on the screen. Thank you.

https://www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com/live-stream