Ethel Williams Pritchard, age 97 of Hot Springs, died Tuesday evening in the Lakewood Convalescent Home. She was born on January 25, 1913 in Hot Spring County to the late Leroy and Vesta Keisler Williams. Reared and educated in Hot Spring County, she grew up in the Big Creek Community. Mrs. Pritchard was the widow of the late George Pritchard, to whom she was married in 1948. He preceded her in death in 1964. They traveled extensively and she was very fond of going to the beach, where she loved to swim. She attended the Big Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Theresa Bailey, Louise Crouse, Carolyn Jones, Barbara Gibbs, Vesta Holland, Marjorie Word, Ocie Lee Williams, Morris Williams, Brenda Garrett, Leroy Williams, Jimmy Nichols, J. F. Nichols, and Bobby Nichols.

Mrs. Pritchard was also preceded in death by an infant son, Leroy Bankson; by her brothers, Curtis, Carva, and Harvey Williams; and by her sisters, Marcella Lee, Thelma Nichols, and Marzee Eason.

A visitation was held Wednesday evening from five until seven o'clock at J. A. Funk Funeral Home.

Graveside service will be two o'clock Thursday afternoon, April 29, 2010 in the Old Lutheran Cemetery near Malvern with Brother Mark Thornton officiating.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.