Ethel Louise Svendsen

February 21, 1925 — September 9, 2018

Ethel Louise Garrett Svendsen, widow of Halvor B. Svendsen, died at her residence on James Island, Sunday, September 9, 2018. The relatives and friends of Ethel L. Svendsen are invited to attend her Memorial Service at 11:30 AM, Friday, September 21, 2018, at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston. Burial at Live Oak Memorial Gardens will be private. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the time of service.

Ethel was born on February 21, 1925, in Mill Spring, NC, a daughter of James Lindsey and Bessie Thompson Garrett. She graduated from Cotton Plant High School in Cotton Plant, AR and was a retired sales associate with Condon’s Department Store.

Ethel loved life. She seized each day with joy and purpose and had no time for “slowing down” despite her advanced chronological age. With youthful vigor, she enjoyed pruning her azalea bushes, tending to her garden and yard, and fastidiously keeping a tidy home. Ethel also took great satisfaction in cooking and serving others. Her quiet, sweet spirit always seemed to shine through in her acts of hospitality. Additionally, Ethel enjoyed traveling with Halvor, friends and family, and she relished the peaceful, contemplative serenity of knitting. In her later years, Ethel deeply appreciated the company of her cat, Esma.

Ethel’s acts of service also brilliantly reflected her Christian faith. For decades, she faithfully attended James Island Baptist Church and served as a member of the church’s Joy Club. She also volunteered at the VA hospital. Beautifully articulated by the way she lived her life, Ethel’s faith was more than just words—she acted according to it.

Perhaps nothing else gave Ethel as much pleasure as her family. From her husband and two boys, to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ethel was surely rich in love. She delighted in family gatherings as well as drop in visits. She truly appreciated the conversations, the babysitting, the food preparation and the serving. Ethel loved her family. She was blessed and was truly a blessing to everyone around her. Ethel will be greatly missed by all of those she left behind. But in this time of sadness we find respite, for we live with the same hope that inspired Ethel and look forward to our heavenly reunion.

She is survived by her two sons, Virgil (Barbara) and Victor, both of James Island; four grandchildren, Jared (Sarah) of Boca Raton, FL, Joseph (Pricilla) of Charleston, Andrea Hoelscher (Sean) of Myrtle Beach and Lindsay Bonam (Dave) of James Island and 10 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to James Island Baptist Church, 2023 Wappoo Dr, Charleston, SC 29412.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ethel Louise Svendsen, please visit our flower store.

Send a Card

Send a Gift