Ethel Lucille Holbert

Ethel Lucille Holbert was born at home in Nashville, Tennessee on July 20, 1925. Early on the morning of January 28, 2023, GOD called Ethel by name ….saying “Come home my child and rest!” She was the first born child of the late Flenoy Rivers Holbert and Mary Francis (Abernathy) Holbert, both originally of Pulaski, Tennessee.

She was educated in the Davidson County School System, where she attended Ash Craft Elementary School, Washington Junior High and Pearl High School. Being the oldest child, she was tasked with helping the family financially, leaving high school after completing the 11th grade.

Ethel’s career started at St. Thomas Hospital where she worked in the dining room for a short time. After having her first child, she began to follow in the footsteps of her mother as a house manager in private homes. In 1951, she started working with the Metropolitan Government Board of Education as a cafeteria assistant until her retirement in 1990.

At the young age of 14, Ethel accepted Christ and became a member of the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church under the distinguish leadership of Rev. Charlie Hoge. She remained a devoted Christian throughout her life, always spreading love and humility to all at every opportunity. She was a member of the Women’s Mass Choir, Women’s Missionary and Mothers’ Board. On Sundays when the Women’s Mass Choir was scheduled to manage the kitchen, she would work in the kitchen taking the opportunity to show her love through cooking and influencing the youth to do the right thing. Her advice would usually begin with “I tell you what…”

Ethel was someone who came from very little, but always made room to give more. Her desire to help others in need was the forefront of her being. The immense love within her was shown through everything she did and with whom everyone she interacted. She only wanted the best for others and would often forsake her own needs and desires to see those around her happy. Ethel was a true angel. Although she would have smiled for being described as such, she possessed humility in its purest form. She was a woman of great faith and courage. Ethel made the impossible seem possible, and kindness and compassion look effortless. What she exemplified is so difficult for most of us to carry out day in and day out. She did not have to try to be good, she just was good. Her unwavering faith in God was demonstrated throughout her life.

In 2006, Ethel moved to Georgia to live with her youngest daughter, Linda, where she continued to spread love and the influence of God with her presence. She came to Georgia to be taken care of, but switched the roles and took care of her family instead. While there, Ethel gained a huge following of friends, all who adopted her as “Momma and Memaw”.

Her love of family was paramount. She knew it was a crowning example of love, for God's people to live together in unity. Always reminding family members to look after one another, not just at a time of need, but daily. Frequent family visits to Nashville gave her the opportunity to show the importance of and provide a living example of “agape love” –unconditional love.

She was preceded in death by her daughters, Margaret E. Holbert and Min. Jeannie C. Griffin; sisters, Dorothy J. Wheeler (James C. Wheeler) and Mary E. Conwell (Harry D. Conwell). With pleasant memories to always cherish and treasure, she leaves devoted daughter, Linda D. Williams and loving brother, Thomas E. Holbert (deceased, Lena Holbert); six grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren and fourteen great great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as lifelong friends, Min. Christine Mitchell and Bettye Vaughn.

A gathering of family and friends for Ethel will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 2448 Herman St, Nashville, TN 37208, followed by a celebration of life from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Holbert family.