Ethel Pugh

Ethel Mae Webster Pugh, age 83, passed away on December 6, 2020. She is survived by her daughter Anna Austin (William) of Tampa, FL; her son Wesley Pugh (Mary) of Birmingham, AL; her sisters Joyce Foster (Charles) of North Wilkesboro, NC; Madge Snyder of Wilkesboro, NC; six precious grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Paul Orrin Webster and Stelma Hayes Webster Myers of Wilkesboro, NC; her son Barry Pugh of Hartsell, AL; and her sisters Gertrude Elliott of Cricket, NC; and Zora Brannock of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Ethel graduated from Wilkes Central High School (NC) in 1955 and later moved to Birmingham, AL, where she married George Barron Pugh. Shortly after, they moved to Hartselle, AL, to rear their children. Ethel had a love and a natural gift for gardening. Her “green thumb” was always noticed by those around her. But Ethel’s strongest attribute was her exceptional work ethic and determination in everything she accomplished and naturally passed it on to her family whom she loved. In the later years of her life, she settled in Birmingham to live closer to her children and their families.

Ethel was blessed with her six grandchildren Tara Heikel (Jeremy) of Pelham, AL, and children Jackson and Ethan; Jason Austin (Amy) of Lakeland, FL, and son Mark; Kirstin Smith (Bryan), Jacob Pugh, Amelia Pugh, and Abigail Pugh all of Birmingham, AL.

A graveside service will be held at Mountain Park Cemetery on Dec. 12, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. in the peaceful mountains of Wilkesboro, NC, where she will be buried next to her beloved parents. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Light, Inc., Women’s shelter, 2230 Fourth Avenue North, Birmingham, AL, 35203 (www.firstlightshelter.org).

Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood, AL, and Reins Sturdivants Funeral Home

in North Wilkesboro, NC, co-directing.