Ethel Mae Herrell Belew was born June 7,1920 in Kingston, Tennessee to Lucy (Stout) and Frank Herrell. She passed away just 2 months short of her 101st birthday. Ethel had been a resident of Jamestowne Assisted Living for the past 3 years where she was well taken care of by a very caring staff.

Ethel and Raymond R. Belew were married on June 24, 1939 in Kingston. They soon moved to St Ann, Missouri where they both worked in a defense plant that manufactured the Curtis-Wright AT-9 military plane for the World War II effort. In 1943 Raymond joined the Navy and was soon sent to the Pacific as a Navy Seabee. Ethel remained in St. Louis, Missouri working as a true “Rosie the Riveter” until 1945. They moved back to Roane County, Tennessee where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Ethel was predeceased by her parents: Frank and Lucy Herrell; brother: Willi; sisters: Nelma Driver, Anna Bell Stout, her husband Raymond of 59 years; and son-in-law: Doug Black.

She is survived by daughters: Janice Black of Harriman, Lisa Lawson (Mike) of Rockwood, and Brigitte Shelton (Melbie) of Port Orange, Florida; grandchildren: Brian (Kacy) Black, Todd (Julie) Black, Michael (Cassie) Lawson and Travis Shelton; great-grandchildren: Scott (Emily) Black, Kevin Black, Nichole (Justin) Ingram, Cassidy Black, Ethan and Connor Lawson, and Adalynn Shelton; and great-great-granddaughter: Emery Black.

Graveside services were held Monday, April 12, 2021 at Roane Memorial Gardens in Rockwood. Kyker Funeral Home of Kingston served the Belew family.