Ethel Miller Davis

Ethel Miller Davis, 83, of Rutherfordton, NC went to be with the Lord and was reunited with her infant daughter and her parents on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Hospice House of the Carolinas Foothills.

Born on February 9, 1943, Ethel was the daughter of the late Hugh and Gladys Miller. As a member of Kistler's Chapel Methodist Church, she was known for her caring heart, steadfast faith, and willingness to serve others. Whether through a kind word, a heartfelt prayer, or a comforting meal, Ethel ministered to those around her with love and compassion. She was often described as a prayer warrior and faithfully directed the church's prayer connection ministry.

Ethel met her husband Emmett at Harris High School and later studied biology while at Appalachian State University. Ethel and Emmett were married and later moved to Raleigh, NC. During that time, Ethel led research in the isotope laboratory within the Biochemistry Department at NC State University while Emmett completed his degree. She later completed her degree in education at Gardner-Webb University.

A devoted and nurturing mother, she poured her heart into enriching her children’s lives. From managing a bustling schedule of sports, music, and church activities to hosting lively sleepovers for friends, she created a beautiful home filled with warmth and hospitality. She took immense pride in ensuring her family was always well-cared for, weaving magic into every holiday and instilling lifelong values of health, nutrition, and vibrant new experiences. An avid gardener with a true green thumb, Ethel excelled at cultivating beautiful flowers and abundant vegetables. She found great joy in reading, was an exceptional cook, and possessed a talent for sewing, beautifully crafting many of her children’s clothes during their youth. Above all, Ethel’s compassionate spirit shone brightest in her parents' later years, as she lovingly and selflessly cared for them through extended illnesses.

In addition to her parents, Ethel was preceded in death by her daughter, Paige Elizabeth Davis. Left to cherish Ethel's memory are her loving husband of 62 years, Emmett J. Davis, Jr.; her son Emmett “Jay” Davis III; her daughter, Susan Rebecca Davis Chapman, and husband Mike Chapman, and her three grandchildren, Annabelle Chapman, Tripp Chapman, and Boone Chapman.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Kistler's Chapel Methodist Church. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Kistler's Chapel Methodist Church, with Chaplain Ron Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made in honor of Ethel to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.