Ethel Mae Sands

Ethel Mae Sands, 102, of Cambridge City, entered heaven September 3, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Clayton, Indiana.

Ethel was born in Luttrell, Tennessee on October 20, 1922 to the late James H. and Zettie M. Booker. She grew up on the homestead in Luttrell and graduated from Horace Maynard High School in Maynardville, Tennessee in 1941. She moved to Knoxville after graduation to start work. There she met her future husband, Charlie L. Sands, of Cambridge City in 1943. They were married in Rossville, Georgia on August 7, 1946 and made their residence in Cambridge City, Indiana.

Ethel worked at Danner’s in Cambridge City from 1947-1952 in the toy and cosmetic departments. She was a stay at home mom for several years after this and then worked in the bookkeeping department at Wayne Bank and Trust in Cambridge City and Richmond, for 36 years, retiring in 2007. Ethel loved being a homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother. She took pride in providing for her family. She enjoyed cooking meals for big family gatherings and visiting with friends. Ethel was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Cambridge City and was very active in their sewing club and assisting with meals during special occasions. She was an excellent seamstress and loved to crochet afghans and piece quilts. Between the ages of 97 & 102, she pieced together 35 quilt tops.

She will be remembered for her warm smile, gentle soul, loving attitude, enjoyable wit, welcoming spirit, and overwhelming kindness to everyone she ever met.

Ethel is survived by her two daughters, Sherry Seay of Hickory Creek, TX and Dorene (Rocky) Kenworthy of Clayton, IN; 3 grandchildren, Chad (Ashley) Bunger of Richardson, TX; Lori (Dana) Nollette of Highland Village, TX; and Jason (Erika) Bunger of Francesville, IN; 2 great grandchildren, Conner and Emily of Francesville. She is also survived by one brother, Ross Booker of Mascot, TN and several nieces. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death in 2006 by her husband of 59 ½ years. Also preceding her in death were a brother Cloyd Booker and son-in-laws Don Bunger and Jim Seay.

Friends may call September 11th from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at Waskom Capitol Hill Chapel in Cambridge City. Service will be held September 12th at 11:00 am at same location with interment at Riverside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Western Wayne Senior Center, 1007 E. Main St, Cambridge City, IN 47327.

Online condolences may be made at www.waskoms.com

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