MILFORD - On September 25, 1957, Ethel Diane Stevens was born in Cheriton, Va. to Margaret Julia Stevens and Flenoria Cottrell. At around the age of nine, she moved to Delaware. In 1975, she graduated from Milford Senior High School and continued her education at Delaware Technical Community College earning a Certificate in Clerical Studies and later Associates Degrees in Business Administration and Accounting, then completed Early Childhood Education Curriculum to become a licensed Child Caregiver. Ethel's career began at Farmers Home Administration where she served as a clerk for about twelve years. She then was employed by Georgetown Day Care Center as a Childcare Provider until she advanced to become its Director. She later volunteered with the Southern Delaware Reading Assist Institute to provide tutoring services for elementary school students in the Milford School District who exhibited difficulty in Reading. Her latest endeavors included the opening of a business "Endears, Inc." to provide a host of services including guardianship services, collections, and budget and property management. She was always glad and willing to serve anyone in need of help. Ethel's passion and priority was serving the Lord. She held active membership in Mt. Zion AME Church in Ellendale, De. for about twenty years where she served in numerous capacities including Missionary, YPD Director, Finance Committee Member, Church Secretary, Evangelist, and Local Elder. She later maintained her involvement in the AME Church on the conference level but continued to minister, witness, and live a life devoted to God until she departed this life on June 17, 2012. Ethel was a virtuous woman that feared the Lord and a true friend. She left a rich legacy to her two children, Tasha Marie Stevens and Tara Cherie Stevens; and six grandchildren, Alex, Mairiah, Kristopher, Christina, Racheal, and Parris. And, just as was prophesied in Proverbs 31: 28, they rise up and call her blessed. She also leaves to celebrate her life a spiritual mother, Rev. Martha J.W. Mifflin of Georgetown; an adopted mother, Madge Wescott Dennis of Ellendale; two sisters, Darlene Stevens of Magnolia and Phyllis Mitchell (Michael)of Philadelphia, Pa.; and six brothers Harvey Stevens and Melvin Stevens of S.C., Valentino Stevens of Germany, Alphonso Cottrell (Deborah) of Annapolis, Md., Robert Cottrell (Audrey) of Salisbury, Md., and Craig Cottrell (Latricia) of Suffolk, Va.; along with a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2012, at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Ellendale, De. Professional services entrusted to McPherson Funeral Services, Milford.