Born in Lecta, Kentucky July 9, 1926 to Walter Henry and Ora Minnie (Samples) Stockton who preceded her in death. She was married to Thomas Kenneth Nelson June 14, 1951.  To this union one son, Kerry Lynn Nelson was born.  She was graduated from Glasgow, KY High School in 1945, from Kentucky State College in 1950 with a B.A. degree in Elementary Education and from Bowling Green State University in 1962 with a M.A. degree in Special Education and Reading.

She taught Elementary Education at Hiseville, KY for one year, at Marie Anna, Arkansas for one year and at Whittier School in Lima for eleven years. After her teaching stint at Whittier, she was promoted to Supervisor of Special Education Programs for Lima City Schools where she served for 16 years.  Ethel also taught at the Headstart Summer Enrichment program and adult night school.

She was a member of Fourth Street Baptist Church for over 60 years.  She served as teacher of the Adult Bible Class for over 50 year, Sunday School Superintendent for 4 years, Deaconess Board, charter member of Minnie Elkins Circle, Church Historian and Chairman of the Kitchen Committee.

She was a member of Allen County Retired Teachers Association, recipient of the Martha Jennings Outstanding Teacher Award (1968-1969), West Central Ohio Special Education Award in recognition of services provided to exceptional children. She also organized the Allen County Hope Chapter Council for Exceptional Children, served on the Allen County Board of Mental Retardation for 3 years.

While a resident of Otterbein Cridersville SeniorLife Community she participated in morning devotionals and served as a substitute to the Chaplain when he was absent.

Her hobbies included traveling, quilting and gardening.

Survivors include one son, Kerry Nelson, his wife Patience and two grandsons, Joshua and Noah Nelson and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers; McClellan, Orville and James Stockton, four sisters; Lucille Williams, Mary Stockton, Sarah Stovall and Ina Beatrice Banks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hy Ho Club, P.O. Box 793, Lima, Ohio 45802 or Fourth Street Baptist Church Scholarship Fund.

Services entrusted to:  JONES-CLARK FUNERAL HOME, INC.

To order flowers and to offer condolences to the NELSON Family, visit www.jonesclarkfuneralhome.com