BIOGRAPHY

Ethel Ida Bethea was born in Dawson, Georgia, USA, on 20 October 1909. Her parents were Frank and Emma Terry. Her father was a Methodist reverend. The family later moved to Newark, New Jersey. In 1927, she graduated from Central High School in Newark.

Bethea married twice, and had three children: Shirley Hobbs, Beverly Wilson and Carl Walker. She was involved in projects with Stella Wright, a Newark social worker. She worked on the assembly line for General Electric and was a baby nurse for more than 30 years.

At the age of 110, she had 18 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 43 great-great grandchildren and four great-great-great grandchildren.

Bethea passed away in Westfield, New Jersey, USA, on 26 February 2020, at the age of 110 years, 129 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age was validated by LongeviQuest on 26 April 2023.

ATTRIBUTION

* “She’s 110, but who’s counting? N.J. woman is one of the state’s oldest.” – NJ.com, 21 October 2019

* “Ethel Ida Terry Bethea Obituary” – The Star-Ledger, 28 February 2020

GALLERY