Mrs. Ethel Mae (Wade) Graham, 98, of West End, North Carolina entered into eternal rest on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at her residence.

Ethel Mae Graham was born on October 22, 1927, in the Eastwood community of West End, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Flora Jane Wade and Clinton Alexander Wade.

Growing up during the post-war era, she learned the enduring values of resilience, hard work, and gratitude. She carried these values with her throughout her entire life.

In 1943, she married the love of her life, Ulice Ervin Graham. Together they built a big family of five girls and five boys. Ethel devoted many years of her life to raising her children, working as a cook, and faithfully serving the Lord and her home church, where she was a devoted member of the Gospel Voices. Her authority and wit touched countless lives.

To those who knew her best, Ethel will be remembered for her beautiful voice, her signature Sunday dinners and warm desserts, her love for her family, and her devotion to the Lord and church.  Her classiness never went unnoticed. She lived through a century of immense change, always adapting with grace and unwavering strength. She was a matriarch in every sense of the word,  providing wisdom and comfort.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ulice Ervin Graham, her brothers, Alexander Wade (Marguerite), James Wade (Evelyn) and Curtis Wade (Rosa Jean), her sisters, Rosalee Russell  (Mitchell), and Marie Lloyd (Terry), her sons, Ulice Graham Jr., Larry Graham, and Charles Graham and her daughters, Dorthy Adams, Olivia Brown, Rosadale Graham, and Mary Waddell. 

She leaves behind a beautiful legacy and will be deeply missed and forever cherished by her surviving children, Sharon Graham, Clifton Graham, and Clinton Graham; her adored nineteen  grandchildren, including two of whom she helped raise, Patricia Graham, and Shalonda Waddell; a dear cousin, Leo Goins, and friends; a large host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and  many extended family members.

Please keep the family and friends of Mrs. Ethel Mae (Wade) Graham in your thoughts and prayers. 

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Southern Pines, North Carolina.