" We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8

Ethel Mae Butler Brown was born on August 15, 1933 to the late Joseph Butler, Sr. and Elizabeth Smalls Butler.  She grew in St. Stephen, SC.

Ethel Mae graduated from St. Stephen Colored School in 1952, St. Stephen, SC and attended Claflin College, Orangeburg, SC.  She moved to Washington, DC and worked as a Dietician at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Ethel Mae was the widow of the late Daniel J. Brown, and they relocated to South Carolina in 1975.  She was self-employed in 1984 with her own domestic business and worked with many families.

Ethel Mae received her Nurses' Certificate and was employed by Berkeley Senior Citizens, Moncks Corner, SC.  In 1987 she worked at Magnolia Manor, Moncks Corner, SC. In 1990 she began a new job at the Coastal Center, Ladson, SC where she enjoyed and loved working with children.  She was employed there until she retired at age 75.

Ethel Mae attended First Baptist Church, Washington, DC, returned to St. Stephen, SC and re-united with St. Stephen Baptist Church. She later transferred membership to St. John Baptist Church (Santee Circle), Moncks Corner, SC, where she served as an Usher and with the Missionary Society.  She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age.  She loved talking about and praising God! Her morning prayer consisted of the quote: "I am praying for THE NORTH, SOUTH, EAST and THE WEST". She wanted God to bless the Whole Universe.

Ethel Mae was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, St. John Chapter #213 and the Upper Berkeley Branch NAACP. She enjoyed traveling, attending all church events, and participating in family reunions. She served as President of the South Carolina Butler Family Reunion Committee.

Ethel Mae transitioned into eternal life with the Lord on August 7, 2021 at her home.

Those left to cherish her memories are:  three (3) children, Tony Ashwood, Buffalo, NY, Thomas Ellis, Chicago, IL, and Sharon Nelson of the home; two (2) siblings, Leroy Butler, Capitol Heights, MD and Ruth Grant, St. Stephen, SC; eight (8) grandchildren, Maria (Reginald) Nelson and Aaron Robinson (Angel) reared in the home, Loretta Knight, Donniesha Dawson, Tanesha Greenfield of Washington, DC, Brittney Ashwood of Tennessee, Christian Ellis and Catherine Ellis of Chicago, IL; sixteen (16) great grandchildren, three reared in the home, Desavoy,  Essence and Daniel Robinson;  seven (7) great great-grandchildren; special cousins, Velma (Joe) Wilson and Corneil (Horace) Young; a host of nieces and nephews; special friend  and co-worker, Diane Ancrum; long life friend, Louise Alston of Washington, DC; and many relatives and friends.

A Viewing will be held Wednesday, August 18, 2021,  4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home (MONCKS CORNER). FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED!

A Celebration of Life Service (Private) will be held Thursday, August 19, 2021, 11:00 a.m., at Gethers Funeral Chapel, 221 Church Road, St. Stephen, SC. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Delta variant), Mrs. Brown's funeral service will be PRIVATE . Please check with the family to see if you are on their Guest List before coming to the service. Face masks are required to attend the service. The family is grateful for your understanding and prayers during this difficult time.

The service will be live-streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gethersfh

Burial will be in Tri-Churches Cemetery, St. Stephen, SC.