Mrs. Ethel Fletcher McNeill

Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessings come to someone else. Love does not brag about ones achievements nor inflate it’s own importance. – 1Corinthians 13:4 Ethel McNeil, known by her family as “Mother”, fought the good fight, kept the faith, and received her crown in glory on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Ethel was born on May 15th, 1922 in Horatio, South Carolina to loving parents Lawrence and Lila Fletcher (Blanding). Ethel was the oldest of their two children, brother Simone Fletcher (deceased). At an early age the family moved to Southern Pines, NC where She graduated from West Southern Pines High School in 1939. As a young girl, Ethel enjoyed collecting dolls and playing outdoors with her brother, cousins, and friends. Her childhood home was described as a place of learning, laughter and consideration for the well-being of others. In conversation she often recalled her mother setting aside a portion of their meals for members of their extended family and or others in the community. Those experiences fostered a character of generosity, caring, and resilience. Ethel’s desire for better opportunities and to build a better life influenced her decision to move to New York City. During her years of service as a Social Welfare Case Monitor for the City of New York, she improved the quality of life for numerous New Yorkers. She did this by auditing the services provided by New York City Human Resources assistants programs. These programs included, children's welfare, substance treatment, home health aid, meal preparation assistance, education of parents with young children, and improvements of disabled mobility recipients. She was a welfare advocate and an active member of District Council 37, known today as New York’s largest employee union. As a member of DC37 she held the office of delegate for many years. As a delegate for DC37 her service helped keep workers informed of their benefits and employee rights. Ethel retired in 1988 after 30 plus years of dedicated service. Mother enjoyed living that city life. Not only did she work hard but she put forth the same energy supporting her personal social activities. Mother was a Harlem Socialite, she belonged to the Billy Walker Social Club. An organization based in Harlem, created to provide college scholarships to deserving young adults. She had many fond memories of making friends, attending and hosting social gatherings and creating recipes to cook for her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling and seeing sights. From family vacations, to numerous cruises and Caribbean Island excursions. Her two most heartfelt travels were to Paris, France and seeing her great-granddaughter graduate from high school in Ramstein, Germany with her entire family. Mother loved God, and was a faithful member of Mount Horeb Baptist Church, where she served as the President of the Convention Club. In 2009 Mother relocated to Lawrenceville, GA to be closer to her great-grandchildren. Since moving to GA she has been a faithful member of New Mercies Christian Church as a Crown Jewel and a Mother of Wisdom. Mother leaves to cherish her memories: Her son William "Sonny" Stanback (Vanessa) of Windsor CT and loved dearly her daughter Marion Ethel King (deceased). She also leaves her legacy to seven grandchildren: Jullie Harris of New York, NY, Tracy Harris of Lawrenceville, GA, Leah Smith (Jarvis) of Columbus, GA, Terry King (Maxine) of Lawrenceville, GA, Linda Burton (Eugene) of Pittsburgh, PA, Tyrone Stanback of Windsor, CT, Tremaine Standba

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Mrs. Ethel Fletcher McNeill

May 15, 1922 - May 13, 2023