Ethel Swinson Orrell

Ethel Swinson Orrell, 97, of Linwood, passed away Tuesday August 22, 2023, at Rowan Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held 2pm Saturday, September 2 at Smith Grove Baptist Church, 3462 Sowers Road, Linwood, by the Rev. Terry Smith.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2pm Saturday at the church prior to the service.

Mrs. Orrell was born April 2, 1926 in Stanly County to Lee Roy Swinson and Gordia Elizabeth Johnson Swinson. She was the oldest member of Smith Grove Baptist Church, where she served faithfully in the Church Choir in to her nineties. She loved gardening and following the Atlanta Braves.  Her beloved husband, Howard Orrell, her brother, Roy Swinson; her sisters, Eleanor Sifford, Billie Barbee, Beulah Mae Stallings, Pete Nance, and Betty Hill; and her grandson, Nick Orrell, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter, Wanda Orrell Jones and husband, Johnny; her sons, Jerry Orrell and wife, Gaye, and Tim Orrell and wife, Lisa; her brother, J.L. “Duby” Swinson and wife, Katrina, of Charlotte; her grandchildren, Todd Orrell and partner, Teresa, Brian Orrell and wife, Wendy, Stephanie Garrett and husband, Scott, Jessica Smith and husband, Bobby, and Shannon Herrin and husband, Tony; her step-granchildren, Lauren Macias and husband, Hector and Alex Iseman, and wife, Rachel; fifteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or to Smith Grove Baptist Church, 3462 Sowers Road, Linwood NC 27299.