Ethel Juanita Teal, 80, of Waco, went to be with the Lord on January 20, 2009. A memorial service will be 1PM Saturday, January 24th at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jeff W. Fisher officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8PM Friday, January 23rd at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.
Ethel was born December 17, 1928 in Clayton, LA to Butler and Sallie Maples. For many years, Ethel was a home health-care provider who absolutely loved her occupation. Ethel’s many years of service to others during their time of need touched many lives. She was very patient, compassionate and gentle spirited. She will be remembered by many patients and their families. Ethel’s greatest hobby was tending her plants, especially roses. She also loved old western movies and was a voracious reader of historical novels. She was also a dog lover.
She was preceded in death by husband, Ted Teal; brothers, Henry Maples, Bobby Maples; and sisters, Edna Bennett, Mary Westbrook, Gladys Hale and Alice Licotta.
She is survived by son, David Massey and Donna Azbell; brother, Donald Maples; and sister, Marie Worthy. She is also survived by her closest niece, Betty Vice and husband, Johnny; a special niece, Connie Kirsch and husband, Rick, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews.
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We could not have had a more lovelier aunt than we had with our Great Aunt Ethel. We loved it when we saw her at the family reunionsin Natchez, Ms. Though we were quite young when we had the last reunions, we remember how beautiful she always looked. We will miss her. Rest in peace.
I am so sorry for your loss. I know you have so many great memories. Let them live forever. May GOD comfort you and Donna in this time of need.
Our thoughts are with you at your time of loss
I was sorry to hear of Mrs. Teal’s passing. My sorrow’s are extended to David and the rest of the family.
losing my aunt Ethel is the hardest thing i have to bear. i loved her so dearly. the first time i met her, i was only 6 yrs old. she and David had just moved from hawaii, David was small, and i thought, how cute he is. at that time, seeing my aunt Ethel for the very first time, i loved her right from that moment on. she had grace, posse, and such a ray of happiness about herself.she made you feel loved. i was always happy to see her when she came down for christmas, when we lived in ST. Joe,La.we once had a freak snow storm in march , when my mother and i loved in Ferriday, Aunt Ethel, drove us all to St. Joe, to spend time with our Bigmaw, we played in the snow, not once did she feel she was too good to get dirty with all the kids. she would join right in there.to sit and talk with her, she made you feel warm and comfortable, she always had time to listen to anyone. i so enjoyed the talks we had, . i will miss those talks of encouragement. i always told her that they made a mistake up there, that she was supposed to have been my mother. but being my aunt ,was going to have to do. i loved her so much. David, you have a family that loves you too. i await for your visits. love, carolyn
I will always remember Ethel Teal as a little woman with a "BIG" heart. My daddy’s failing health and the high level of care that he required, landed him @ St. Catherine’s in Waco. Ethel was more than just a sitter; she was truly a "trooper" caring for our Daddy through many hard stages. She did so with patience, compassion and tireless energy. To her beloved son, David, may you have a blessed life with the qualities & the love she gave you.
I will never foget the valuable and important role that Aunt Ethel played in my life. I can honestly say, without Aunt Ethel, I may very well not be where I am today. She was there for me when she had so much on her plate. She took me in at a very critical point in my life, loved and provided for me just as though I was her very own daughter. She even shared her son with me, David, and even though our time together was shorter than most brothers and sisters, I will always cherish the memories.
I pray that Aunt Ethel now rests in peace with The Lord and I take comfort in knowing that one day, I will talk to her again and tell her just how much she meant to me and how much I will always love her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.
Ethel came along at a time that I needed an angel. She provided the support, love and compassion that was needed. I will be forever thankful for Ethel’s help and a better person for having known her.
Love,
David Reed
David, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was a very nice lady.
Sincerely,
Doris Azbell
We are very sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
David so very sorry for the loss of your Mother she was so very much a part of our family. She gave so much caring for Arthur when we needed her most. She was a wonderful lady and always will be in our hearts. Ellen Schwart and Family
Aunt Ethal was very loved and will be missed.Shes in a better place now.Love Glynda Maples Wallace
Sam, we are so sorry about the loss of your dear mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Your mother was like a beautiful rose; she always made you smile when you saw her. Just know that we belive that your mother will always be looking after you; she’ll be your guardian angel watching over you from heaven above. May she rest in peace.
Like my sister, Julie Holton, our Mom, Connie Kirsch, made a point to share some insight about our Great Aunt Ethel. I remember Mom saying that if everyone had only a timble full of love and kindness that our Great Aunt Ethel pocessed, the world would be such a better place in which to live. Rest in peace, Aunt Ethel. James
We first want to express our deepest sympathy for your loss, David. That is all I really know what to say in times like these. I, Jaymi want to personally express the way I feel about such a great lady. You always were so nice to us kids when we were in your home playing with moose and little mickey; you were a part of so many important memories in my life just by allowing us into your home because not a lot of people wanted all of us kids hanging out too long; thank you. I also want to thank you for making my newborn his very first pillow; it was one of the cutest things I have ever seen for a little one; but more than that; it will be where he will lay down his little head many times before he drifts off to sleep with the angels; in a world where he knows nothing of the war or economy. It was not just a pillow; it is a heirloom that I will treasure forever. thank you so much Mrs. Teal Love the Smith family
Since 2006, Ethel helped bathe my mom who has Alzheimer’s. My mother, even though she did not have a mind, obviously liked Ethel. My dad and I adored Ethel. Ethel had the sweetest heart and spirit and was an absolute God-send for our family. We enjoyed seeing her each week. We are grateful she was part of our lives and will always remember her fondly.
Remembering you and your loved ones at this time of sorrow.
So,very sorry for your loss David you were very blessed to have a Mother so Special. She was so caring and so giving of herself to everyone and every person she cared for. I enjoyed being part of her life as a friend she was a sweet lady. May God Bless You Joyce Rosas
The last time I saw my Great Aunt Ethel, I was quite young, but my Mother, Connie Kirsch, always spoke so highly of her. I mostly remembering Mom saying how Aunt Ethel was such a woman of impeccable class and pocessed such a kindness that is so rare in people these days. I regret that we could not have spent time together as I grew up. May she rest in peace.
Ethel was a very sweet and loving Aunt.We didn’t get to see her much,because of the distance,but we enjoyed the time we did get to spend with her and David.She will be greatly missed,but will forever be in our hearts.
David,
I am sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom, Ethel. She helped take care of my Dad, Hugh Reed, Jr., the last days of his life at St. Catherine’s. Your Mom was an answered prayer for our family. She was so kind , loving and always pleasant to be around . God used her as an angel on this earth and now I know God will be using her as an angel in heaven. My whole family loved your Mom and it was a blessing to have known her. May God give you peace and comfort you during this difficult time.
Marilyn (Reed) Toothman
My prayers are with you at this time of need.
she will be missed,and not forgotten. we will be rejoined in heaven.
We will miss Aunt Ethel’s gracious smile and kind words. She always was so positive and happy and a joy to talk to. Rest in peace. We love you.
May you rest in peace.
David and Donna, I want to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of Ms. Teal. It goes without saying, she was an incrediable lady who will be missed by many. I will keep you in my prayers.