Ethel Mae Pittman Henderson

Ethel Mae Pittman Henderson was born on January 16, 1931 in Oak City, NC, to the late Lula Brown Pittman and Charles Pittman, Sr. Ethel was the oldest of the seven children born out of this union. At a young age, Ethel relocated, and New Brunswick, NJ would become her home. At the age of 20, Ethel met and married the late Willie Henderson. From that union, a son Anthony N. Henderson was born. In 1963 Ethel and Willie divorced, but remained friends until the day of his passing. In her late 30’s Ethel met Augusta Johnson and they were blessed with a gift from God, a daughter Valerie C. Johnson. Valerie was the light of her life and would eventually become her soul care-giver. Ethel was an employee of Sally’s Steak House, which was located in Highland Park, NJ. Ethel continued to be a dedicated employee at Sally’s until the day they closed their doors to business for good. Soon after she became self-employed cleaning homes until she became disabled due to a knee injury. Ethel was very involved in the community. She was a daughter of Sunbeam Temple#165, Elks Lodge of New Brunswick, NJ. She often did work with the Housing Department of New Brunswick. Ethel was regularly known to be seen working the election polls at Lord Stirling School for many years. She attended various churches throughout New Brunswick, but was a member of Emanuel Baptist Apostolic Faith Church of Somerset, NJ. Ethel loved people and everyone loved her. We all knew that when greeting Ethel with,” How are you doing”, her reply was always,” Thank God to be alive.” If there was anything Ethel could do to help she would, even up until the day she became ill. She will be deeply missed by everyone who cherished her kindness, support, and friendship. God called Ethel home on July 27, 2016 to be by his side in Heaven along with her son Anthony, who passed away in 1992. Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, Lula and Charles Pittman, seven brothers, William, Charles Jr., Elbert, Jasper, Michael, Thomas, Irvin, and Ronald, and her son, Anthony Henderson. Ethel leaves to cherish and honor her memory, three sisters, Joyce Baskins (PA), Dorothy Chance (NC), and Audrey Pittman (NJ), a brother, Milton Pittman (NJ), a daughter, Valerie Johnson, a daughter-in-law, Valerie Larmore, a grandson, Kareem Best, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and many friends.

Ethel Mae Pittman Henderson

January 16, 1931 - July 27, 2016