Ethel Lee Gahee

January 17, 1928 – January 8, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Ethel Lee Gahee, who departed this life peacefully on January 8, 2025, just shy of her 97th birthday.

Ethel was born on January 17, 1928, in Sunflower County, Mississippi, to Frankie Williams and Johnny Hawthorne. As the eldest of 13 children, Ethel embraced her role as a nurturer and leader from an early age. She was lovingly raised by her grandparents, Mary and James Williams, who instilled in her the values of faith, family, and hard work.

In her teenage years, the family relocated to Toledo, Ohio, where Ethel graduated from Libbey High School in 1948. She later attended college, driven by her adventurous spirit and thirst for knowledge. Ethel was a trailblazer, one of the first in her large family to travel by airplane, an emblem of her courage and sense of exploration.

Ethel’s talents were vast and varied. She was a champion bowler in the Midwest, earning accolades and trophies alongside her team. In 1955, she married the love of her life, James Gahee, and together they moved to Los Angeles, California, on their honeymoon. Their marriage of 40 years was filled with love, laughter, and an open door to family and friends. Their home in Los Angeles became a sanctuary for loved ones, offering warmth, guidance, and a sense of belonging to many who sought a fresh start.

Ethel was also a talented seamstress and crafter. She lovingly sewed for her family and built a thriving retirement business designing original quilts, dolls, and clothing. Her creations, each a labor of love, reflected her vibrant spirit and artistic talent. Ethel and her husband James, often traveled to numerous festivals and fairs, where she proudly displayed and sold her work. Together, they enjoyed sharing her craft with others and meeting people from all walks of life.

Ethel’s hands were always busy with life and beauty. An avid gardener, she cultivated a lush yard filled with fruit trees, vibrant flowers, and grapevines, which she used to create her own homemade wine. Her creativity extended beyond her garden, as she left her mark in history during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where she proudly carried the Olympic torch through Carson, California.

Ethel was a dedicated professional, spending much of her career at Hughes Aircraft. She played a vital role in the groundbreaking work on the first successful space shuttle launch and retired in 1988, celebrated for her contributions to technological innovation.

Ethel will be remembered for her infectious laughter, warm embrace, and the wisdom she shared freely. A natural caretaker, she nurtured all those around her, offering love and encouragement to young and old alike. Her unwavering support and guidance gave her children the tools to succeed in life, leaving a legacy of resilience and grace.

Ethel is survived by her three devoted children: Gregory Gahee, James “Tony” Gahee, and Michelle Gahee. Her loving spirit continues through her seven grandchildren—Jannon Frank, Dania Francis, Camia Frank, Christopher McCauley James K. Gahee, Kyle Gahee, and Keith Gahee—and her four cherished great-grandchildren, Sloan Francis and Quinn Francis, Hayley McCauley and Caleb McCauley.

Ethel was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. Her kindness, humor, and wisdom left an indelible mark on the lives of everyone she touched. She will be profoundly missed but forever celebrated.

Service Details

A service to honor Ethel’s extraordinary life will be held on January 17, 2025, what would have been her 97th birthday, at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, CA.

• Service: 1:30 PM at the Grace Chapel

• Burial: 3:00 PM

• Repast: Following the burial at 1010 Wine, located at 1010 N La Brea Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90302.

We invite all who loved Ethel to join us in celebrating her remarkable life and legacy.

Please visit https://connect.dignitymemorial.com/12160473/home to share your memories, view photos of Ethel’s journey through life, and celebrate the beautiful legacy she leaves behind.

Flowers can be sent directly to Inglewood Park Cemetery (www.inglewoodparkcemetary.com) until January 17, 2025.