Ethel M. Mercer

Ethel graduated from Solomon Coles High School in Corpus Christi, Texas at the age of thirteen years old.

She attended and graduated from Prairie View A&M University, where she met her husband, Astor Garthaniel Mercer. They were married on February 19, 1949. Their union lasted 54 years upon Astor’s death in 2001.

Ethel became an educator and started the first school for African Americans in Aransas Pass, Texas. One of her first graduates was Marjorie Washington of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Ethel received two masters’ degrees from Texas A&M University in the 1970’s; one for Education and one for Special Education. She was determined to exceed in education. She was confronted with prejudice and segregation during the time of receiving her diplomas. It was hard for her to receive a teaching position in Corpus Christi at that time, so she worked on the Naval Base; she did domestic work for the families of the Lichtenstein, H.E.Butts Families and May Daughterly King, to help support her family. She also took a job at the Petroleum Club at night where she met celebrities such as Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Pride and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Ethel was an avid hunter and marksman. She went on hunting trips in Skidmore, Texas (Round-up) with ex-presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and George Bush, Sr.

Ethel was an extravert and enjoyed traveling. She attended many of the World Series, baseball was her favorite sport.

She did all she could to encourage her children to excel. She had them take piano lessons, music lessons, art lessons and twirling lessons. She made them excel in several arts.

Ethel was one of the First African Americans that was allowed to join AAUW (American Association of United Women). She enjoyed her teaching career that expanded to forty years upon retirement.

Ethel taught for West Oso Independent School District and Corpus Christi Independent School District, where she retired.

She would teach all year round (summer included) until her retirement in 1985. She joined and exceeded in Bible Study Fellowship, she successfully completed the entire bible twice. She was a member of St. Matthew Baptist Church.

Ethel was a good friend to many, a great mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She did all she could to stress the importance of education to her children and grandchildren.

Ethel enjoyed life, she became a member of the Bridge Association where she excelled and won several tropies. She met Eartha Kitt in Las Vegas and they became lifelong friends until Eartha’s death.

Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, Calrence and Roberta Sanders; sister, Janie B. Bell; nephew, Tyree Bell,Jr. and husband, Astor G. Mercer.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her daughters, Gloria Joyce Monteiro-Jones, Houston, TX, Pamela Sue Shields, Houston, TX, Carol Anne Mercer, Corpus Christi, TX and Charisse (Greg Evans), Atlanta, GA; her grandchildren Terri Monterio Browne (Tyrone) from Dallas, TX, Stephanie Johnson, Houston, TX, Omolara (Samuel) Biggs , Houston, TX ; great grandchildren, Justin R. Ray, Corpus Christi, TX, Jyhah Scales, Houston, TX, Royal Scales New York, NY and Juane Joffrion, Houston, TX; uncle Sylvester Lytle Sr., Corpus Christi, TX; nephews, Wallace Mercer Jr. (Clarissa) Pensacola, FL, Van Kirk Johnson, Austin, TX, Clarence Bell, Houston, TX, Special Cousins, Carolyn L. Brown, San Antonio, TX and Monna Lytle, Corpus Christi, TX; Caregivers Lala Sanchez and Yvonne Rosas.

The family would like to thank doctors, Kathleen Soch, Yvonne Manalo, Dr. John Timm and all doctors that helped with her care at Spohn Hospital on Shoreline. Thanks to all the nurses and Save Home Health Care and to Mary Grett Staff that was very supportive to daughter Carol, during her illnesses. Special neighbor Bonnie White and extended family, Patricia Ingram, Teresa Ingram and Alma Nlemadin.

One of her greatest joys was to see the first African –American President, Barack Obama when he came to Corpus Christi, Texas.

Special Thanks to Cynthia Stoney.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 16, 2014 at Cage-Mills Funeral Directors from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service to be recited at 6:00 p.m. that same evening.

Funeral Service will be on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Cage Mills Funeral Directors with Dr. C.E. Richardson, Sr. officiating service. Interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Condolences may be offered at www.memorygardensfuneralhome.com