Ethel Shepard Rouse

Ethel Shepard Rouse, 91, of Wilmington NC, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 5, 2015. She was born on September 28, 1923 in Holly Ridge NC to the late James Thomas Shepard and Hannah Missouria Edens Shepard, and was the last of ten children born to that union, and the last to survive.

Ethel was an active member of Winter Park Baptist Church for more than sixty years, having served as deacon and Sunday School teacher. She worked in the family grocery business for nearly thirty years, first with her husband Joe, and then with her sons. As long as she was able, she grew much of what she ate in her backyard garden. She also enjoyed maintaining her flower garden, quilting, cross-stitching, and sewing. Ethel loved to cook and, for a time, cooked meals for weekly fellowships at her church. More than anything else on earth, she loved family; the highlight of her year was the Shepard Family Reunion, and she attended more than 70 of the annual events.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Joseph H. Rouse, her son, Walter Ray Rouse, and daughter, Ginger Faye Rouse Adams. Preceding her also were her brothers and sisters – Infant son Shepard, Edward James Shepard, Nimmie Shepard Whaley, Betty Shepard Padgett, James Thomas Shepard, Jr., Buren Henry Shepard, Myrtie Shepard King, Melvin Martin Shepard, and Lena Shepard Bird.

She is survived by son James Richard Rouse and his wife Sharon of Wilmington NC, and daughter Linda Rouse Davis and her husband Calvin of Raleigh NC. She was grandmother of Wendy Mercer, her husband Sport, and great-grandmother of Christa Nicole, Brianna Michelle, and Steven Leonard Register. She was grandmother of Blair Rouse, his wife JulieAnne, and great-grandmother of EvelynKate Kennedy and EllaJane Galyean Rouse. She was grandmother of Mark Rouse. She was grandmother of Anthony Wislar, his wife Elizabeth, and great-grandmother of Claire Wislar. She was grandmother of Joseph Wislar, his wife Elizabeth, and great-grandmother of Virginia and Victoria Wislar. She was grandmother of Tammy Austin, her husband Tommy, and great-grandmother of Shiloh, Justin Taylor, Haley Jo, and Ethan. She was grandmother of Karen Sabo, her husband Dave, and great-grandmother of Graham Thomas Best and Harper Mckenna Sabo. She was grandmother of Kim Bebb, her husband Greg, and great-grandmother of Anika Cristen, Mackenzie Kate, Joshua Gregory, Haddon James, Hannah Grace, and Calvin Machen Bebb. She was grandmother of Kevin Swann, his wife Antonia, and great-grandmother of Zoe Sophia and Alexander Miles Swann.

Visitation will be held from 10:00am to 11:00am on Monday, March 9, 2015 at Winter Park Baptist Church. The funeral service will be held at 11:00am. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Grove Lutheran Home, 631 Junction Creek Drive, Wilmington NC 28412