Ethel Louise Peterson

Ethel L. Peterson, 89, passed away peacefully at her great niece’s home in Florida on December 8, 2020.

A private burial will be held. 

Ethel L. Peterson, was born Ethel L. Williams on April 21, 1931 in the Bronx, New York. Her parents were Joseph Williams and Eleanor A. Williams. She had five sisters and two brothers survived by older sisters Viola Brown and Barbara Grant and a host of nieces and nephews. Ethel married the love of her life Melvin Peterson. At an early age she became a widow.

Ethel worked in different areas as a young woman then graduating with her certificate as a nursing assistant. She spent thirty years as a nursing assistant at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. Her joy was working at Kings County Hospital and taking care of children. She lived in Brooklyn for the majority of her life with her sister Viola. There she became the mother of many that crossed her path.  Ethel sacrificed her life to take care of her great niece and others. 

She was truly a phenomenal woman by inspiring the people around her to reach for the stars, she treated everyone equally. Ethel was able to deliver constructive criticism while listening with an open ear. She absolutely loved: Vanilla BEAN ice cream, scratch offs, Serena Wiliams and Whitney Houston. She ALWAYS remembered birthdays and had a great sense of humor.

“Auntie Ethel made me the woman I am today, when life hit me hard she was always there to tell me “When one door closes, another will open”. Then send me a card that would inspire me. She will never leave my side. “

“If there is such a thing as an angel, Ethel was one on earth!”

“She used to take care of me when I was young. She would take me to school and pick me up afterwards and cook.”
“I always felt loved in her presence, her cooking giant pancakes and strawberry milk before church on Sundays “

“My surrogate grandmother at heart, taught me the value of generosity and how as humans we must look out for one another, no matter how selfish one’s actions may be. We must look as to why they take those actions for there may be a greater purpose at hand.”

“Auntie always made me smile at Thanksgiving dinner in New York. She loved me.” 

Ethel was the symbol and embodiment of love, understanding, selflessness and what it means to be genuine. We all want to say how grateful we are for making us feel loved and important. 

We will always LOVE YOU Auntie Ethel.

The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro. 

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