God in His infinite wisdom chose to take our dear beloved sister from earthy toil to celestial rest; we praise him for his loving kindness.

Ethel was born to the late Reverend and Mrs. Rueben B. King, Sr. (Johnnie Alva James) on April 17, 1936. In Naples. Texas. She peacefully departed this earthly life on August 19, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was the eldest child of Rev. and Mrs. King and the eldest daughter. She was married to Leon Kelly Sr. who preceded her in death.

Ethel accepted Christ at an early age at Mt. Olive CME Church in Naples, Texas. She took her Christian service seriously just as she did everything else in her life. She was fiercely dedicated to her church and her duties as a child of God. Ethel, called Jewel by her siblings, was a true child of the parsonage and dedicated Christian soldier. She accepted Christ at a very early age. Noted for her melodious and gifted voice, she began singing at the age of four years. Her debut number was a rendition of Its My Desire; taught to her by her paternal grandmother. That was the beginning of a long career as a songbird. Her tenacity for excellence shown through in every walk of life. She graduated from High School in Marietta, Texas where she graduated as class valedictorian. She also excelled as a point guard on her school basketball team.

 After high school she attended Texas College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education with certifications in elementary education and secondary education. After Texas College, she received her Master of Education Degree. From East Texas A and M University. Her first teaching assignment was teaching 9 th grade in Woodville, Texas. She then relocated to Dallas, Texas and for a period of time, explored other career opportunities. She later resumed her teaching career in Texarkana, Texas where she taught in the Texarkana, Texas Independent School District for 36 consecutive years where she taught first and second grades. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she served as secretary to the Principal’s Parent/Teacher Advisory Committee at Dunbar school; in 1990 Ethel was the Dunbar School Representative to the Greater Texarkana United Way. She proved to be an exemplary educator of children. Consequently, she received the Teacher of the Year Award in Elementary Education in 1998. Ethel’s additional public service included serving as a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association in the position of Health Reporter.

Ethel served as the Dunbar School Chairperson for Annual Retired Teachers Memorial Services at the beginning of each school year. Additionally, she served as a member of the Awards and Bereavement Committee for the Texarkana Texas Independent School District. She retired after 36 years of dedicated service. She was a member of Iota Phi Lamda Business and Professional Sorority for African American women.

She served as a dedicated member of Hopewell CME Church for nearly 60 years; she joined in September 1966 when she united with the church under Rev. Darnell Thomas. Among her many roles served in the church Ethel was Secretary of the Courteous Club, soloist for the Senior Choir, secretary and member of the Voices of Hopewell where she was also choir president and soloist, and secretary for the Women’s Missionary Society. Under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Kia Horn, Ethel served as the chaplain and soloist for the Inspirational Choir.

Ethel also loved to serve the CME Connectional Church. While she was able, she was a regular delegate for District and Annual Conferences. She served as District Stewardess president, treasurer for the East Texas District, and delegate to the General Conference in Mobile, Alabama in 2010. She cherished the esteemed recognition of being honored for her 25 years of service as President of the Hopewell CME Church Stewardess Ministry on June 4, 2023.

She leaves to cherish her memory, 2 brothers David King (Annette), Lawrence King and 7 sisters, Johnie Shaw (Avest), Althanette King, Ruby Goodacre (David), Zephyr Fraser (Colin), Opal Gibson (Walter Sr.) Bernice Strong (LeNorman), and Maria Woods (Michael) a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and a steadfast loyal friend, Mrs. Dorothy Graham.