Our beloved Ethel Lee Ferguson Brown, a born-again Christian, was born to Bahamian West Indian parents, James R. Ferguson and Celeste Rolle Ferguson, on August 20, 1931.

Ethel began grade school at Attis School in Dania, Florida, and completed grade school and high school in Salem, New Jersey, where she earned her GED. She graduated from Salem County Technical Institute as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), acquired 23 Liberal Arts college credits from Salem County Community College, and earned a diploma in Labor Law from the Union Leadership Academy at Rutgers University.

Ethel was married to Stanley S. Brown for 41 years. She did many things in her lifetime. She worked at Anchor Hocking Glass Company for 38 years, served as Financial Secretary for 7 years, and President for 9 years of Local No. 21 of the GPPAW International Union.

One of Ethel's greatest joys in life was traveling. Ethel traveled to England, France, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Victoria, British Columbia, Vancouver, Dakar, Senegal, The Gambia, Gorée Island, Senegal, Nigeria, Abidjan, Lagos, Badagry, Tokyo, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Taipei, Taiwan, Singapore, Mexico, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Spain, Israel, and Egypt. She traveled throughout the United States, visiting every state except Oregon and Alaska.

Ethel was predeceased by her husband, Stanley S. Brown; her parents, James R. Ferguson and Celeste Rolle Ferguson; her son, PFC Kevin L. Ferguson, who was killed in action in South Vietnam; her four brothers, David Ferguson, Clifton Ferguson, Randolph Ferguson, and Robert “Ted” Ferguson; and her three sisters, Elsader “Say” Gamble, Miriam “Mae” Campbell, and Bernice Ferguson. Ethel was the last surviving of eight siblings.

Ethel leaves a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, close and extended family, and other loved ones whose lives were touched throughout the years.