Ethel Marie Devlin

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  John 14:2b-3

Ethel Marie Devlin lived a powerful, yet quiet life devoted to her God and provided genuine service to others.  She served her church, family, and friends with devotion and dignity in her typically quiet, selfless demeanor that endeared her to everyone that she met.  Her life was a classic example of humility and LOVE!

Ethel was the first-born child from the union of her deceased parents, John C. and Lillie Patton Devlin, on August 3, 1944 in Troy, South Carolina.  She was educated in the Greenwood County School District 50 schools and graduated from Brewer High School in the Class of 1965. Thereafter, she became the resident care giver for members of her family, including her late parents. In each instance of meritorious service, she did not say much but she gave more than others who perhaps had more opportunities than she had. Her life on earth was blessed   because according to scripture she “gave everything that she had” to those because they needed her, and now her soul has been rewarded in heaven because she also gave everything to her Savior because she needed Him.

At an early age, Ethel joined the Mt. Sinai AME Church and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior.  She served as a selected reader of the Sunday School’s Lesson Text, usher, devoted choir member, stewardess, and member of the Bailey Bethel Singing Convention,

  Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, John C. Devlin, Jr., a nephew, Robert E. Reeves, III, and three brothers-in-law, Leroy Wideman, Sr., Robert E, Reeves, Jr., and Samuel D, Miller. Those remaining in her family village to cherish her legacy include: two brothers; Dr. George A. Devlin of Columbia, SC, and Jerome (Tressa) Devlin of Elgin, SC; four sisters: Ida D. Wideman and Lizzie D. Reeves of Columbia, SC; Willie D. Miller of Taylors, SC;  Eva Devlin of Anderson, SC; and a special family friend and caregiver, Elder Barbara Weston Lewis.

She is also survived by three nephews:  Michael Wideman and Leroy Wideman, Jr, of Columbia, SC; Jerran Patton (Taylor) Devlin of Florence, SC; two nieces, Robin N. Reeves of Washington, D.C and Jevettra D. Gardner of Elgin, SC; six great-nephews, Keenan Wideman, Devlin A. Wideman, Kelly Wideman, Kelby Wideman of Columbia, SC, Bryson K. Gardner, and ‘L;Wideman of Columbia, SC and Berkeley Gardner of Elgin, SC. an aunt, Ruth Devlin of Atlanta, GA, and additional family  and friends.

On May 21, 2026, the same God who sent Ethel to us came back to receive her as His own.  He came for the quiet one who never had much to say.  But on that fateful Thursday afternoon, when she answered the Lord’s invitation requesting his redeemed to “say something,” she knew that she still did not have much to say, because her work speaks for her.

 May The Work I’ve Done, Speak for Me!

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