Ethel McCrite, 97, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Olive Branch, Illinois, passed away Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Jan. 21, 1926, in Essex, Missouri, to the late Arthur Glen and Opal Irene Ross Bridges.

Ethel and Harley "Toad" McCrite were married Feb. 8, 1947. He preceded her in death Dec. 22, 2010.

Ethel was a cook at Thebes (Illinois) High School and an aide at Olive Branch. She then went to work as a fabric cutter for Ralph Edwards Sportswear in Cape Girardeau.

She was a member of Sandy Creek Baptist Church since 1947 and was also a member of the Horseshoe Lake (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce.

She is survived by her son, Mike (Janelle) McCrite of Cape Girardeau; grandson, Nicholas McCrite of Cape Girardeau; brother, James (Joan) Bridges of Falston, Maryland; sister, Linda (Allen) Cooper of Troy, Missouri; half sister, Sandra Bridges Riley of Hohenwald, Tennessee; brother-in-law, Bob Thornhill of Moscow Mills, Missouri; sister-in-law, Jackie Bridges of Maryville, Illinois; one stepbrother; several nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harley McCrite; brother, Tommy Bridges; sisters, Ruth Greenley, Louise Thornhill and Irene Light; half brother, Jerry Glenn Bridges; two stepbrothers and one stepsister.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Illinois.

Funeral will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with Robin Reid officiating. Burial will take place at McCrite Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks with gratitude that memorial contributions be made to McCrite Cemetery.