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Submitted: 7/2/23 • Approved: 7/5/23 • Last Updated: 7/8/23 • R1490936-G1490935-S3
Jan 7, 1926 - May 2, 2021
Ethel Lee Starrett of Gravel Ridge, Arkansas was born January 7, 1926 - and started dancing on the Streets of Gold on Sunday May 2, 2021.
Ethel was born in Woodson, Arkansas to William and Georgia Lester. She shared stories of her childhood, waiting with anticipation as the railroad conductor would throw out a block of ice for her and her father to enjoy. She married at age of 17 to the late Raymond A. Smith, US Army. She and Raymond could “really dance the jitterbug.” She is also quoted as saying, “If I had to choose between dancing and eating, I would choose dancing.”
The one thing she enjoyed more than dancing was visits from her grandchildren. She welcomed everyone with a cold Pepsi and a chocolate from her candy basket. Ethel loved her westerns, especially John Wayne, and looked forward to calls and letters from countless family and friends. Like her beloved brother, W.J. Lester, she will also be remembered by her “delicate” way of “telling it like it is."
Ethel is survived by granddaughters, Pamela Lee and Heather (Mark) Hardin; grandson, Travis (Cassie) Smith; great-grandchildren, Timothy (Jennifer) Lee, Ashely Lee, Lily and Liam Hardin, and Connor, Emma, Cole and Willow Smith; and great-great grandchildren, Ayden and Brielle Lee, Christian Dawson, Hunter Hanig and Tinsleigh Lee. Ethel is preceded in death by husbands, Raymond A. Smith, US Army and Samuel A. Starrett, Coast Guard; her parents, William Lester and Georgia Hambrick; brothers, Darvin & William J. Lester; sister, Betty O’Hara; and sons, Raymond Eugiene Smith and William Andrew Smith.
Mrs. Starrett will be celebrated and remembered with a funeral service beginning at 12:00 PM, Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Smith-Sherwood Funeral Home (7700 Hwy 107) with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Gravel Ridge Cemetery.
Honorary Pallbearers - Liam Hardin, Connor & Cole Smith, Christian Dawson, Hunter Hanig, and Ayden Lee
Contributed on 7/2/23 by eagle12953
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Record #: 1490936