Ethel LeGrande

“MY LIFE”

It was on May 4, 1927 when I was the third child of six born to my parents Ollies and Isalene Ward of Lynch, KY.

Ethel received God in her life at an early age. She was a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church where she was active singing in the church choir and a member of the Baptist Young People’s Union, Sunday School and attended all other services at her church. All members of her family were in church every Sunday.

In May 1945 Ethel graduated from Lynch Colored High School with honors. She looked forward to attending Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and continued to keep her grades up with a minor in Science. She graduated in 1949 with high honors.

In 1950 Ethel met and married Arthur William LeGrande. They had one son, Arthur William LeGrande Jr. born in 1956. Jade LeGrande is Arthur Jr. only child.

Ethel worked for Cleveland Board of Education as a Science Specialist for the city for 32 years. She enjoyed the job very much. Ethel prepared herself for the Science Specialist job by attending most of the colleges in the Cleveland area. She wanted to do her best in this new position. Some of the area Colleges she attended were: Cleveland State University, Kent State and Akron University. During the summer she would attend Ohio State University, and teach summer school at other locations. She was always working to improve her skills and she did.

Ethel retired from her job after 32 years. She enjoyed traveling and she relocated and lived in many cities and states in the United States such as Atlanta and Villa Rica Georgia, North Hollywood, California, Las Vegas, NV and others.

Arthur W. LeGrande Sr. passed on and was greatly missed by his family and friends.

Ethel’s only son, Arthur W. LeGrande Jr. is also deceased.

Ethel was the last of her generation to have a “Home Going Celebration”.

Ethel’s father, Rev. Ollies Ward was a professional coal miner who earned a good living for his family.

Ethel’s parents, Rev. Ollies Ward Sr. and Isalene (Trotter) Ward are both deceased.

Ethel’s sibling and their spouses are all deceased. They are as follows:

Ollies Ward Jr. and (Zela Ward) are both deceased.

Thelma (Ward) Holliway and (Sanford Holliway Sr.) are both deceased.

Inez (Ward) Roscoe and (Otis Roscoe) (both are deceased).

Delores (Ward) Crossland and (Thelbert Crossland Sr.) (both are deceased).

Dorothy Ward is deceased.

Ethel leaves to mourn a grand-daughter, Jade LeGrande, whom she loved dearly and a great-grand-daughter, Phoenix.

Ethel also leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews and cousins currently living throughout the United States. She also leaves many wonderful friends and business associates whom she enjoyed over the years.