Ethel Mae Worsham was born to the union of Deacon Roosevelt Peter and Velma Iona Alexander in Chicago, Illinois. She was the third of five children (Vashti, Rosa, Roosevelt, Jr., and Latham) all deceased.

"Ethel Mae " as she was affectionately called by family, accepted Christ at the age of fourteen and was baptized at Zion Hill Baptist Church, under the pastorate of the late, Rev. R.D. Hawkins. She actively served as a choir member and Sunday School Teacher.

Ethel was joined in Holy Matrimony to Bennie A. Worsham and to this union, one child was born.

She later joined Emanuel Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, under the pastorate of Rev. L. K. Curry, where she served as a Deaconess, member of the Women's Day Choir, May Circle, Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and Church Clerk. She organized and coordinated the first Debutante Cotillion. She relocated to New Faith Baptist Church International in Matteson, IL under the pastorate of Rev. Trunell D. and Alexis L. Felder and again she utilized her gift and joined the Sanctuary Chorale Choir and served as a Sunday school teacher.

Ethel was educated in the Chicago Public Schools. She attended Carter and Betsy Ross Elementary and Medill High School. She always wanted to be a teacher and earned her Bachelor's Degree from Pestalozzi Teacher College and a Master of Arts Degree from the National College of Education. She also was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.

Ethel began her teaching career at Lincoln Elementary School in Chicago Heights and Marcus Garvey Elementary in Chicago. She later retired from Garret Morgan Elementary. She then chose to devote her time to being a housewife and on occasion became a substitute teacher in many south suburban school districts.

Ethel's favorite scripture was Psalm 23 and her favorite hymn was Amazing Grace".

Ethel departed this life on Wednesday, August 1, 2012.

She leaves to rejoice in her memory her husband, Bennie, daughter, Brenda; two brothers-in-law, James and Carl and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Until her death, she shared a special bond with her nieces Valerie and Adrienne, and great-niece, Brittany.

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