Ethel L. Kilgore was born November 22, 1931 to the late John E. Smith and Anna L. Elmore in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She departed this life on Thursday, January 21, 2016.

Ethel was a graduate of the Lockland-Wayne High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She was employed by Avon Corporation as a fork lift driver and retired in 1982.  At an early age she had been taught that earth was a temporary home so she was baptized at the Zion Baptist Church in Cincinnati.  She was a faithful member of the Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church in Cincinnati where she served on the Trustee Board, Senior Usher Board, and was a member of the Quilting Club.

After the death of her husband Philip Kilgore (Mr. K), Ethel decided to relocate to Toms River, NJ to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.  She immediately continued her Christian walk at the Second Baptist Church in South Toms River, NJ.  She joined the Missionary Board and the Woman's Ministry, and worked diligently in the church's Food Pantry.

Ethel was a loving mother, sister, aunt, as well as a caring grandmother and great-grandmother.  She touched the lives of   many through her strong faith and her words of wisdom.  She loved to knit baby blankets and prayer shawls for the sick, quilt, and spend time with her three great-grandchildren.  She loved traveling with her family and friends and enjoyed going on cruises.

Ethel was predeceased by her husband, Philip Kilgore.  She leaves not to mourn but to rejoice in her loving memory, her daughter, Carol Cousins; two grandchildren, Kristen "Kelly" Cousins and Michael (Jami) Cousins; three great grandchildren, Jacey, Marcus, and Trent; sister, Joan Young of Cincinnati, Ohio; two nephews, Eric Young (Stacy) and Andre Young (Deidre); three nieces, Karen Jones (James), Vernita Young, and Shelly Pollard (Otis); two god children, Rachelle Green (Mario) and Ryann Brown; and a host of other relatives and friends.