Ethel B. Dilworth Obituary (1932 - 2019)

Ethel Dilworth, the eldest of 3 children, was born to L. V. and Connie Mae Bradshaw, Sr. in Bartlett, Texas. The family relocated to Austin, Texas when she was seven (7) years old. She attended the Austin Public Schools and graduated from L. C. Anderson High School in 1949. Ethel enrolled at Huston-Tillotson College in 1949. However, her education was interrupted due to marriage and the birth of two children. She resumed her education, joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and graduated from college with a degree in Business Education. She also earned a Teachers Certificate with which she used at People's Business College and as a night school teacher at Old L. C. Anderson High School. Ethel attended the Prairie View A & M University Master's Degree Program. Ethel accepted Christ at an early age. She served in multiple capacities at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church for decades. At the age of eighteen (18) she began creating and reading hundreds of church resolutions for deceased members of her church as well as for members of other churches. She assisted in the development of funeral programs, organizing church events and serving as church secretary until her health would no longer allow her to continue these services. During her membership at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, she served in Mission II, Reach and Return Committee, and Finance Committee. Ethel began working at Huston-Tillotson College as a student. Following graduation, she worked briefly at Prairie View College. Ethel later accepted a position at Huston-Tillotson College as Secretary to the Director of Alumni Affairs. She was eventually promoted as Secretary to the Dean of the College. In 1965, when the Dean of the College, Dr. John King became President of the college, she was promoted to the position of Secretary to the President and Human Resources Director. Ethel encouraged education. Her advlce to young people was "Make the most of whatever job you get. Take advantage of all the job has to offer, but never neglect your family. I try never to shirk any responsibility." Upon retirement, after more than thirty-six (36) years of service to Huston-Tillotson, she worked part-time as the Secretary to the Pastor of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. She also performed duties as the church secretary. Ethel was a multi-tasker. She often served in dual positions during her professional career and as a member of her beloved church. Ethel was an avid bowler. She was instrumental in establishing the first African American (Black) Bowling League in Austin. This is where she met her former husband, Harold Dilworth, Sr. Ethel loved to travel and enjoyed visiting Las Vegas, Nevada, Bossier, Louisiana and Coushatta, Oklahoma. Ethel is preceded in death by her parents and her brother L. V. Bradshaw, Jr. She is survived by four children, Gwendolyn Edwards, San Antonio, Texas; Connie Alexander (Barbara), of Austin, Texas; Jacqueline Muhammad of Houston, Texas and Harold Dilworth, Jr. (Vonnie), of Pflugerville, Texas, eight grandchildren, four great- grandchildren, one sister, Beulah Bradshaw, a host of relatives, family and friends. Ethel's entire family believes that she departed this life in God's friendship and fervently believes that she has been accepted into His Kingdom.