Ethel Lee West

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

--Psalm 116:15

In the fullness of time, April 12, 1926, God pulled back the opaque curtain of Life and brought into human flow of existence, Ethel Lee Edwards West. On May 22, 2021, Ethel Lee Edwards West, answered the call of her Heavenly Father, bid farewell to this old world, and transitioned from time to eternity.

On April 12, 1926, in Anderson County, Elkhart, Texas a beautiful baby girl was born, Ethel Lee Edwards West (Birth Name –Lula McElroy). At the tender age of two years old, she was blessed as a gift from God to her loving adoptive father Henry King Edwards, who loved, spoiled and cherished her dearly, and adoptive Mother, Tennessee Carr Edwards, Austin County, Belleville, Texas. Later in life, as an adult, she became aquatinted with her Biological Mother, Ethel Smith. Years thereafter, she met and welcomed her Biological Father Isaac McElroy in her home. For several years she became his care-giver until his health conditions required continuous care.

Ethel Lee Edwards West (Ethel Lee) accepted Christ and was Baptized in the Brazos River at 11 years old by the late Rev. M. L. Price (Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Houston, TX). She took great treasure in being reared in a Christian home where her dad was one of the head deacons under the leadership of the late Rev. M. L. Price, and her grandfather was a pastor, of a Methodist Church, Rev. Plenty Edwards (Maggie Edwards)

She lived with her grandparents (Rev. Plenty Edwards and Maggie Edwards) in Bellville, Texas (Austin County) for 1st and 2nd grade where they helped attend to her while her dad worked in the oil field. Then Ethel Lee went to live with her Cousin Lucy Harper, in Hempstead, Texas (Waller, Texas) where she continued her education at Sam Swartz (Hempstead Colored School). Ethel Lee’s family then relocated to Third Ward, in Houston, Texas, where she attended Jack Yates High School, Home of Lion Country, where she received her High School Diploma. She continued her education at Johnson Business College where she studied Business and later used those skills to become a Notary.

Ethel was very meticulous, especially when it came to her employment and often celebrating working with one family, both Mother and daughter (Meg), for over forty years. Although, Mother was blessed with several streams of income which guided her path into becoming a Landlord, Land Owner and Business Owner (Western End), she was still faithfully committed to continuing her time with Meg. Meg and Ethel became dear friends throughout the years and remained closely united until illness built a bridge between the two.

Ethel loved traveling. She had the privilege traveling to places such as, Canada, Nevada, Seattle, Colorado, California, Niagara Falls, and many other places throughout the country. Other interest included cooking--and she was an excellent cook. In her spring years, she took great pleasure in preparing meals for her immediate family, extended family and friends. A big pot of mustard greens with ham hocks, collards or turnip greens, cornbread, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, cornbread dressing, smothered chicken, homemade pound cake, sweet potato pie, homemade peach cobbler, hog crackling, homemade ice cream, etc., Mother could cook!

On September 26, 1949, Ethel was joined in Holy Matrimony to Aron West. They were united for 48 years until God called Aron from labor to reward. To this union three children were born. Ethel is preceded in death by her husband (Aron West), parents (Henry King Edwards and Tennessee), two sisters (Codell Sheppard and Edna Mae), and a great-granddaughter (Brenae) preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her memory; one son, Jerry West; two daughters Cherry Armitige Hillard (Donald Hillard), and Merry West Teno; all of Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren; thirteen great-grand children; two great-great grand children; and a loving and devoted niece, Carolyn Boumait and a host of relatives and friends. Throughout the years, Carolyn never wavered in her visitations and tokens of love towards her Aunt Ethel Lee. Prior to relocating to Houston, she would make her way to see her Aunt Ethel Lee when she arrived from Georgia.

Although she cherished her family very much and would often brag on having two preachers and a teacher, Felicity was the joy of her conversations. Also, she would ask about her and give orders for her daily. She was extremely grateful for the labor of love and sacrifices her granddaughter, Teacomsia extended when it came to caring for her. Teacomsia took great pleasure in helping to care for Grandma whether it was keeping her company, combing her hair, feeding her, going to her doctor’s appointments with her, or spending tireless hours at St. Luke’s Hospital with her. She looked forward to seeing both the “Mama Teacomsia” (as she would say) and “Baby Teacomsia” (Felicity). Her face would light up when they walked in the room.