Ertha Lee Faniel's Obituary
Ertha L. Faniel was born in Charleston, South Carolina on April 24, 1929 to the late Alice and Osten Garvin. She departed this life on May 8, 2024 at the seasoned age of 95. She was predeceased by her husband, James H. Faniel, daughter Brenda L. Shepperson and her two sisters Edith Price and Gloria Jackson.
Ertha was baptized at the age of 11 at Monumental Baptist Church in Elmira, NY. As a young adult, she participated in different auxiliaries at Monumental Baptist Church as her family were devoted Christians. When she retired, she joined St. John’s Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York and was a devoted member for over 30 years. She enjoyed attending all of the numerous church functions.
Ertha graduated from Elmira Free Academy in Elmira, New York. She continued her schooling and earned a LPN nursing license from the State of New York. She worked at two hospitals before being hired at the Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Center in Brooklyn, New York. Having worked as a nurse for 35 years, she retired in 1991 from the Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Center after being there for more than 20 years.
Ertha was the baby of the three sisters and had a shy, quiet spirit. She was always willing to help others especially regarding health concerns. She gave up her Saturdays and Sundays when her children were teenagers to let her coworkers have some weekends off with their young families. Mystery novels and crossword puzzles were her favorite pastimes. When she retired she started walking the track at the local high school every day. She was well known by the neighborhood because when she didn’t walk at the high school, she walked the neighborhood.
Ertha also loved traveling to see her daughters and especially the grandchildren. She had the opportunity to spend time in Germany, Bermuda, Arizona and California with family. One year she decided to be adventurous and toured the US via bus from New York to Arizona.
She is also predeceased by her two nieces Diane Ellison, Ann Gibbons, and son-in-law Keith Shepperson, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters and sons-in-law Debora Faniel (Glenn Huff) and Gloria Allen (Alvin Allen), seven grandchildren Kori, Jarell and Stephanie Shepperson; Andre Huff (Maddy), Justin Brown (Sammi), Shawn (Miranda) and Daniel Allen; and seven great grandchildren Kevin and Adonis Shepperson; Devon Jones, Justin Jr. and Jenae Brown, Illana Allen; and her dear friends Judy Reeves, Cynthia, Corey, Camarey, and Keyshawn and a host of family and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Ertha?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ertha?
Share a story where Ertha's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ertha you’ll never forget.
How did Ertha make you smile?