Born at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, on March 1, 1933, she was the daughter of Martin ‘Otis’ and Polly Morris Shifflett. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by: her husband of sixty-nine years, her soulmate, Arthur, who passed away December 2020; her sisters, Virginia Slaughter, Bessie Keeton, and Mary Ann Paige; and her brothers, William Glenn, Jessie, and James Elmer Shifflett; her best-friend-for-life, Eloise Branham, who passed in August 2022.
Ethel was an active member of Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, in Boonesville, VA. As a member, she enjoyed the many yard sales, and asking her friends and neighbors for their delicious homemade cakes for the bake sales. Ethel was employed by Morton/Conagra, for 35 years, where she made friends that would last a lifetime.
Ethel is survived by, and leaves cherished memories for: sister, Fannie Morris of Hampton, VA; daughter, Brenda, and son-in-law, Chris; grandchildren, Cindy (Rob) and Jonathan; great-grandchildren, Braxton, Katelynn, and Chase.
Ethel lived every day with love, joy, and laughter. Her wit was a delight to us all. She and her husband, Arthur, would share their vegetable garden with family and neighbors. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Ethel dedicated her life to caring for her family. She was an exceptional cook, famous for her beets, green beans, macaroni-and-cheese, and coconut pie. Ethel served Sunday Dinner to her family for over thirty years, as well as friends who would drop by. She enjoyed working 5000-piece jigsaw puzzles, was a huge UVA Basketball fan, and watching Gunsmoke and Family Feud. She loved her flower garden, and most of all, sitting on her front porch.
The family would like to thank the community for the enormous generosity, support, and love shown to both Arthur and Ethel, through the years. The family would also like to offer special thanks to Michelle Snead, Elsie Morris, Charlotte Shifflett, Patsy Hiter, Virginia Herring, Kay Peachy, Bonnie Bailey, Eugene Schlabach, Paul Yowell, and Iris and Kenneth Cersley for their many visits Ethel so enjoyed. Also, thank you to Charlottesville Health and Rehabilitation Center for their special care.
A celebration of Ethel’s life will be held on Sunday, October 16th, at the Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, 7420 Mission Home Rd, Free Union, VA 22940. Ethel will be available to visit at Noon, with the service starting at 1pm. Interment will be at Prize Hill Cemetery, Boonesville, VA, immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to:
Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church
3034 Boonesville Rd, Free Union, VA 22940
-or-
Mission Home Cemetery Assoc.
277 Jefferson St, Orange, VA 22960.
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