Mrs. Mary Lillian Baines Etheridge, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior, Thursday, May 21, 2020. She is predeceased by her parents, the late Dr. and Mrs. Wiley C. Baines, Sr., her husband, the late Floyd C. Etheridge, and a son, Don S. Etheridge.
Mrs. Etheridge was born in Nashville, Tennessee on March
12, 1926. She was educated in the Metro Nashville Public School system, including the Pearl High School Class of ’42. She went on to graduate from Hampton University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She pursued graduate studies at the Bank Street College of Education in New York City. As a result of her studies, Mrs. Etheridge became a life- long educator. After her initial stint as a kindergarten teacher in New York City, she taught 1 and 2nd grade school children at Moses McKissack, Elliott, and Wharton
Elementary schools until she retired in 1986.
In addition to teaching, Mrs. Etheridge was an avid music lover, serving faithfully in the choirs of John Calvin and St. Andrews Presbyterian Churches. She sang in these choirs until she retired from church attendance due to failing health. She enjoyed theatrical and musical productions especially at both Fisk University and Tennessee State University.
Mrs.Etheridge was a founding member of the Nashville Chapter of the National Hookup of Black Women. She also was a dedicated member of the North Nashville Organization for Community Improvement.
Mrs.Etheridge is survived by her brother, Dr. Wiley C. Banes, Jr.; daughter, Marilyn Etheridge Gross; two sons, Reginald Etheridge and Anthony Etheridge (Anita); four grand- children, Cameron Etheridge Sr. (Donna), Theodore Gross II, Alisha Etheridge and Antonio Etheridge; three great-grandchildren, Cameron Etheridge, Jr., Sierra Etheridge, and Anaiya Etheridge, as well as a host of relatives, & friends.
The service for Mary B. Etheridge will be Wednesday, May 27, 2020 with a Visitation from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, with Memorial Service to follow at 1:00 PM., Highland Hills Funeral Home, 2422 Brick Church Pike Nashville, TN 37207.
In lieu of followers please make a donation to the David Jones Jr. Assisted Living Center 1204 Schrader Acres Dr., Nashville, TN 37208