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.