Ethel Mae Walls Collier was a woman defined by her enduring strength, unwavering kindness, and deep dedication to her family. A skilled cook, a loving wife and mother, and a welcoming presence to all, Ethel's life journey through the heart of North Carolina left a profound legacy.

Early Life and Family Roots

Ethel Mae Walls was born on August 9, 1930. She was the daughter of Bennett Graham Walls and Erma Candis Stancil Walls. Her mother, Erma, was the daughter of Missouri Howell and Samuel Stancil. Her father, Bennett, was a farmer and the son of Port P. Walls and Mary A., who had married in 1890. Ethel joined an older sister, Mavis Irene, in the family.

By 1940, Ethel was living in the Cross Roads area of Wilson County, North Carolina, with her father, who was a tenant farmer, and his second wife, Coralia, along with a half-sibling. This early life instilled in Ethel a strong work ethic, but also a desire for a different path than that of a farmer's wife, a role she "hated," particularly the arduous tasks of suckering tobacco and picking cotton.

Meeting David and Building a Life

While attending high school, Ethel's life took a significant turn when she met her future husband, William David Collier, at the lively Rusty Williams Musical Tent Show in Lucama, North Carolina. A memorable first encounter saw Ethel, determined to see the popular show, walking along a paved road in the drizzling rain with a cousin, refusing a ride from some boys in a car. Arriving soaking wet, she soon found herself in conversation with those same boys, and was particularly drawn to David.

Soon after, Ethel and David began "going together" when Ethel was 16 years old. Ethel diligently completed her high school education, graduating from Lucama High School in 1947, for which her sister Irene bought her a special, pretty blue graduation dress.

Just after her graduation, Ethel and David, both 18, married on September 25, 1947. Their ceremony was performed by Minister F.A. Riverback in the parsonage of the Free Will Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina. David, born in Wayne County, was the son of Samuel David Collier and Annie Mae Stitch, and the grandson of Joe S. and Matilda Collier. His father was an auto mechanic in Pikeville, and his grandfather Joe owned a grocery store there.

Ethel's early married life with David began with a humorous twist; rather than the anticipated hotel room, they "climbed into his bedroom window at home!" True to her word about not wanting to be a farmer's wife, Ethel and David both embarked on job hunting. Ethel quickly found employment at Woolsworth Five and Dime, dedicating all her earnings towards furnishing their home. After living with David's parents for nine months, they moved into their own upstairs apartment on Harrington Boulevard in Wilson. David began his career driving a food truck for Wilson and Company, later becoming a meat cutter for the Smithfield Virginia Packing Company. The couple also joined Westminster Presbyterian Church, establishing their spiritual home.

Raising a Family

Ethel and David's family grew with the birth of their four children:

• Jimmy Ray Collier, born July 8, 1952
• Jeannie Carol Collier, born December 25, 1955
• Judy Lynn Collier, born February 2, 1960
• Jacqueline Louise Collier, born May 4, 1962

Ethel was a remarkable "good old fashion cook," famous for making biscuits daily, a skill she never lost, even in her later years. She cooked traditional dishes like dried navy beans, often adding ham or fried sausage, always with butter and salt. She was known for her welcoming nature, making every visitor feel special, reflecting a lifetime of hard work and compassion.

Later Life and Final Years

Ethel's beloved husband, David, passed away on January 18, 1997, after a courageous 17-month battle with Stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to his brain.

In her later years, Ethel remained active and independent. In April 2010, she flew to California for a week-long visit with her sister Irene. Irene's son Steven took the week off to spend time with Ethel and his mother, and Ethel also visited with her cousins Gary, his wife Ann, and daughter Gina, who lived nearby. Steven even took Ethel and Irene to see Donald Trump's golf course and other local attractions.

On August 9, 2010, Ethel's 80th birthday was celebrated at Bojangles in Wilson, attended by many family members including Jimmy, Carol, Jeannie, Graham, Judy, Bo, Jackie, Brenson, Scott, and Conner. Despite some weakness in her legs that required her to use a cane inside and for navigating steps, Ethel remained remarkably self-sufficient. She underwent successful cataract surgery and, as late as 2013, continued to live alone and drive herself to doctor appointments and for shopping.

Ethel's health took a significant turn in the summer of 2014 when she had a fall and entered rehab in Wilson. This led to several hospitalizations. She bravely battled pneumonia, and just as she was preparing for release and eagerly anticipating her return home, she suffered a final setback. Ethel Mae Walls Collier passed away at the age of 84 on January 23, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.

She is buried beside her beloved husband, David, in Evergreen Memorial Park.

Ethel is remembered as one of the kindest and most thoughtful people, whose welcoming demeanor and lifelong dedication enriched the lives of all fortunate enough to know her.