Ethel Gray Washburn

ETHEL GRAY WASHBURN

A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Ethel Gray Washburn, 91, of Whitehouse, will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 3 pm in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore with Bro. Samuel Priddy officiating. Private burial will take place following the service. Mrs. Washburn completed her earthly journey and went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, September 19, 2019, in Whitehouse.

Ethel was born in Henderson on April 29, 1928, to Eckels and Bessie Mae Gray. She was a Baptist. Ethel worked various jobs during her employment years including being a waitress at the Streamliner and working in the laundry at Kilgore Nursing Center. In her free time, she enjoyed going fishing. Her family and friends were the source of her strength and spending time with them was when she was happiest.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Roy Washburn and his wife Evelyn of Tyler; grandchildren, Kim Bush and her husband Robert of Tyler, Christopher Washburn and his wife Amber of Van, Whitney Naylor and her husband Jody of Van, Hollie Hughes and her husband Zack of Mineola, Shirley Smires of Overton, Stacy Stewart and his partner Jamie Tucker of Kilgore; great-grandchildren Brittany Bennett and husband Brian, Victoria Smires, Emily Smires, Ashley Smires; great-great-grandchildren, Jayden Adair, Trevor, Brooke and Sara Washburn, Korbyn and Isabella Naylor, Emmett and Macie Hughes, Jasce Stewart and Chey-Anne Quinalty; great-great-great-grandchildren Oli Michael Umphress, Hunter and Payton Bennett; sister Mary Rodgers of Tyler. Also, left to carry on her legacy are numerous nieces, nephews, friends and other loving family members.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, husband William Kirby Washburn, children Richard Washburn and Martha Stewart, siblings Olen Gray, Joe Lynn Gray, Bonnie Gray, Yancy Gray, Ruby Rodgers, Opal Reeves and a grandson Scott Washburn.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to Oakbrook Healthcare Center of Whitehouse for their compassionate and loving care of “Nanna” during the final days of her earthly journey.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 pm until 3 pm prior to the service.