Ethel Mae Monroe was born January 31, 1940 in Caroline County, Virginia to the late Eugene and Mamie Edith Jones. She departed this life on September 9, 2016. Her family and friends were by her side. Ethel Mae was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She had a heart of gold and was extremely passionate about taking care of her family and home. She was homeschooled, specializing in sewing and alterations. She accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and joined Shiloh Baptist in Port Royal, Virginia. She later joined St. John Baptist Church.

Ethel Mae married the late Leroy Monroe, Jr. on July 26, 1954. They were married for 61 years. Leroy preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her two children Ricky Monroe and Dante Burruss.

In addition to sewing, she loved children. She had a special place in her heart for unfortunate kids. She owned and operated Ethel's Daycare for 12 years. Her daycare was a neighborhood childcare center where family and local children in the community experienced her unconditional love. She was also employed by the U.S. Postal Service. Ethel was a song writer and love to sing. It's a little known fact that she wrote a song and had a demo record made. Ethel loved planting flowers, doing lawn work, listening to oldies and entertaining people.

Ethel was affectionately known as Ma, Grandma, Auntie-Mom and Sugar Mama. She loved without discrimination and limits. She was often heard saying "You better smell what The Rock is cooking" or "It will hurt me more than you" when disciplining a child.

She leaves to cherish her memory Diane Heckstall, Lorraine Walker, Minister Jeanette Sampson (Leonard), Ervin Monroe (Michelle), Teresa Otey, two adopted brothers, Anthony and Antonio Monroe and a step-son Carl Dandrige. Ethel fulfilled the mother role to Joanne Flythe(William) ,Monica Anderson, Ramona Williams (Antwan), Nicole Ferguson (Michael), Pastor Pierre Burruss (Joaquina), Jon Jones (Kristen), and Veronica Burruss (deceased). She has one surviving sister Elsie Anderson (Elbo), two other brothers-in-law, Eddie and Walter Monroe
(Judy). Her caretakers were her two daughters Diane and Lorraine. She also leaves to cherish her memory devoted granddaughter Kwanzaa and a devoted niece and nephew Joanne Flythe and Curtis Jones, twenty-eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 4 to 8 p.m. at C.W. Edwards Funeral Home 16476 Richmond Turnpike, Bowling Green, Virginia 22427. The family will receive from 6 to 8 p.m.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 16 2016 at St. John Baptist Church 17080 South River Road, Woodford, Virginia. Dr. Chastine Rock will deliver the eulogy and Dr. W.G. Berryman officiating. Interment will follow at the Monroe Family Cemetery, 12446 Golansville Road, Ruther Glen Virginia, 22546