Ethel M Kirby-Paris

                                   Ethel’s  Journey

Beloved children of God, we gather in solemn joy to celebrate the homecoming of a faithful servant, Ethel M. Kirby-Paris, who departed from this earthly realm on March 31, 2025, to be with the Lord. Born on October 13, 1939, in the humble town of Lamberton, Pennsylvania, Ethel was a beacon of light and love to all who knew her. It is with heavy hearts yet with assurance of her eternal peace that we announce her passing in Bedford, Ohio, due to the natural closure of her earthly journey.

Sister Ethel was a woman of great faith and boundless love. In her youth, she attended school in Lamberton, where the seeds of her lifelong learning were sown. She furthered her education in Cleveland, mastering the art of cosmetology before answering a higher calling to serve as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her hands, skilled in the beauty of cosmetology, transitioned to healing and caring for others with the same grace and compassion.

Throughout her career, Sister Ethel touched many lives, not only with her professional talents but also with her unwavering spirit. She was a woman who knew the power of transformation—both of the self and of the world around her. Her dedication to her work was a testament to her selfless nature and her commitment to the service of others.

Ethel's love for the Lord was as profound as it was infectious. She and her son Derrick, fondly known as Ricky, were baptized together by Pastor Phillip Brown at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Twinsburg, Ohio—a spiritual milestone that marked their shared journey in faith. Later, she joined Allen Chapel, where she continued to grow under the guidance of Pastor Phillip Brown. Her faith was her fortress, her guide, and her greatest source of comfort.

To speak of Ethel is to speak of love in action. She was a woman whose conversations were as heartfelt as her embrace, often found talking on the phone, connecting with those she held dear. Her voice, a blend of kindness and warmth, was a familiar solace to many. She relished in the harmonies of quartet singing and the soul-stirring power of gospel music, finding joy and solace in the melodies that spoke of divine love and human resilience.

In her younger years, Sister Ethel's zest for life was evident in her love for dance. Her movements were a celebration of the life and vitality that coursed through her, a testament to her belief in embracing each day with joy and gratitude.

Ethel was a matriarch, preceded in death by her beloved son Ricky, her dear parents Edith and James Kirby, and her brother James Kirby Jr. Yet her legacy endures through her cherished grandchildren, her sister Jean Yvonne Brown, her brother Regis Kirby, and a host of other relatives and friends who will forever treasure the memories she leaves behind.

As we reflect on the life of Sister Ethel M. Kirby-Paris, let us hold close the words of Scripture that she embodied so fully: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord" (Matthew 25:23). In her faith-filled, loving, and selfless existence, Ethel exemplified the virtues of a true servant of God.

So today, as we bid farewell to our beloved Ethel, let us not be consumed by our grief but be comforted by the knowledge that she is now dancing in the presence of our Heavenly Father, her faith made sight, her hope fulfilled, and her love eternal.

Rest in peace, dear Ethel, until we meet again at the feet of Jesus, where every tear is wiped away, and joy knows no end. Amen!

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