Obituary of Mary Ethel Williams Louthen

Mary Ethel Williams Louthen, age 95, of Wytheville, Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2025, in Danbury, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by husband, Harold Leon Louthen Sr., daughter, Jeanne Carol Louthen Staley, son, Harold Leon Louthen Jr., son-in-law, Joe Staley, and sisters, Polly Street and Irene Williams. Ethel was born on January 6, 1930, to the late George Wesley Williams and Mary Jane Smith Williams. She spent her early life in Marion, Virginia where she married her late husband, Harold, in November 1952. The couple eventually relocated to Wytheville, Virginia, where Ethel helped to raise two children and was an active member of the Wytheville community. Harold and Ethel were married for over 61 years prior to his passing in 2013. Throughout her life, Ethel dedicated herself to her family and serving God as a devout Christian. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister. Ethel was an active member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Wytheville where she participated in the choir. She rarely, if ever, missed a Sunday at church unless she was away at, nearby, Smith Mountain Lake, spending time with her children and grandchildren and making countless memories. Ethel also enjoyed gardening, cooking and shopping and was quite good at all. Her family and friends can attest to this as they were often the direct beneficiaries of these hobbies. In her later years, she enjoyed the simpler things in life such as afternoon car rides and picnicking with Harold, her first and only true love. Ethel is survived by grandchildren Jason Staley, Justin Louthen (Emily), and Morgan Bisheit (Joe), and great grandchildren Stefan Staley, Dylan Staley and Miller Louthen. Ethel will be remembered for her affectionate love of God and family, which she always put first. A small graveside service for family and close friends will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 2pm conducted by Pastor Andrew Davis at West End Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Fellowship Baptist Church, 1705 Peppers Ferry Road, Wytheville, VA 24382, by those that are able and willing. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.