Ethel Gray Nixon (née Dunn) was born in Farmville, North Carolina on August 16,

1928. Her life continued in Rocky Mount (Edgecombe County), North Carolina

where she spent the majority of her childhood. The home at 325 Coleman

Avenue is still standing in Rocky Mount. She graduated from Booker T.

Washington High School, and shortly thereafter, moved to Philadelphia to reside

with her brother Booker T. and his family. She earned a certificate in Photo

Coloring, and later attended the Community College of Philadelphia to pursue a

business degree. Her knack for fashion and how to spend a dollar were evident in

everything she did, from coordinating her wardrobe to buying her home.

Ethel was the first girl born to Reverend John Henry Dunn (September 22, 1897 -

December 5, 1978) and Sister Pennie Grace Dunn, née Cooper (April 22, 1901 –

July 20, 1992) who gave birth to thirteen children in all. At 98, Ethel lived longer

and was the last of her siblings.

Ethel was a faithful member of 2 nd Unity Baptist Church, founded by her father,

and sang in the choir alongside her sister Hilda, cousin Maxine, and Aunt Louise.

In her lifetime, she worked as a colorist, receptionist, typist, information clerk,

and retired as a teacher’s aide for the School District of Philadelphia. She gave

birth to three children: Valerie Fatina Franz (Woody), Beverly Anne Lewis, and

Marshall Braxton Lewis, Jr. III. Ethel was blessed with eight grandchildren:

Rhonda (Naimah), Mikal, Siloam, Little Marshall (deceased), Zikiyya, Kiersten,

Nadine, and Michael (deceased). In addition, she leaves behind twenty-six great

grandchildren, twenty-four great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces,

nephews, and cousins.

Ethel lived a full life with no regrets. In her later years, she loved to get up in the

morning and get dressed, even if she had no place to go. Her favorite pastimes

were going to the casino, buying scratch-off lottery tickets, and doing Wordsearch

puzzles, especially the biblical-themed ones.

The family wishes to thank you all for your warm support and condolences during

this difficult time.