Ethel M. Gay

Ethel Marie Gay, daughter of the late Louis and Ethel Hopkins was born on November 18, 1932 in Richmond, Virginia. She fell asleep in death at 6:00 pm on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

Ethel graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School and worked at Thalhimer’s department store in the unit control department as a gift wrapper, and later with Richmond Public Schools in the food service department.

Ethel was baptized in June of 1990 and remained faithful until her death. She mostly enjoyed spending time with her family, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and her extended family of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Another part of her extended family was the Bon Secours and Serenity Hospice care team (which involved Tiana Gay, her granddaughter, and many others), whom Ethel came to love. Ethel always extended her unfailing love by expressing her love for Jehovah.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Gay, Sr.; brothers, John and Louis; sisters, Helena, Gerdine and Josephine (Josie) who passed away in May of 2024; Two sons, Anthony and Arthur; and two daughters, Ellen and Charlene Gay.

Ethel leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Tyeatta Davis, and Robin Smith (Tyrone); two sons, Joseph Gay, II (Melinda), and Donzell Gay (Charlena) as well as a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, a wide range of friends and extended family.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 5720 Swanson Road, Richmond, VA.

The family is receiving services of comfort from Wilson & Associates' Funeral Service - East Chapel, 5008 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, VA.