Ethel Davies

1920 - 2016

Davies, Ethel Louise Sparks

Of Elmira, New York, age 96, has gone to join the Saints in Light while surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday December 25, 2016. Ethel was born on July 11, 1920 in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Agnew Dillard and Lou Ella Sparks. Ethel was an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Deer Park, New York for many years and has been a member of Bethany Lutheran Church of Elmira, New York for sixteen years on her passing.

Ethel's unending ability to love, passed on by her own mother, always sought to live by the Golden rule. She passed this love to her children and again through them to their children. She also had, since childhood, an insatiable love of music and books and not only passed that on but actually was a pioneer in developing a music therapy program for the patients she care for at Pilgrim State Psychiatric Hospital on Long Island. In the last years of her life this wonderful woman took the simple but greatest pleasure in visiting with family and friends, and sitting in the garden.

Ethel is pre-deceased by her husband William W. Davies, her daughter Joan Eades and her son Wayne Davies. She is survived by her daughter Grace (George) Sarno and their children Kathleen, Zachary and Amy, Margaret Davies and her daughter Emily, Lou Dean (Warren) James and her children Joshua, Liam and Erin, Nancy (Gregory) Tang and their daughter Arianna, fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday December 31, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elmira, New York, 256 South Walnut Street, Elmira, New York with Pastor Krista Mendoza officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held after the service in celebration of Ethel's life.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to CareFirst (Hospice) @ CareFirstNY.ORG/Donate Care First 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14807. www.barberfuneralhome.com