Ethel Poling

Ethel Alice Poling (Sagraves) was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother. She was born on June 10, 1929 in Hilliard, Ohio. She left us on November 19, 2019 at age 90 to join her family and friends in heaven.

She retired from Riverside Methodist hospital’s dietary department in 1992. Her interactions with the patients were filled with compassion and positivity. Often they or their loved ones sent her thank you notes after their stay at the hospital. This was very meaningful for Ethel and she enjoyed being able to brighten people’s days during difficult times.

Gardening was something Ethel enjoyed, especially tomatoes which she planted in her yard. In her later years the family helped her plant and maintain tomatoes and she never lost her excitement over a freshly picked ripe tomato.

Ethel enjoyed watching sports on the television as well as attending live sporting events. She was an enthusiastic fan of the Cincinnati Reds, Ohio State Football and Ohio State women’s basketball. She later enjoyed watching Columbus Blue Jackets hockey and Tiger Woods.

Ethel led a life of quiet strength and determination. She had a calm, unassuming presence but also a quick wit and a fun-loving nature. Throughout her many years she provided steadfast love and support to her family. Her capacity for warmth and caring was endless.  She loved afternoon naps with her children and grandchildren. Ethel was always ready to snuggle or hold hands. Toward the end of her life she loved to cuddle even more and would say “Un momento” in an effort to extend naps and cuddle sessions. We would invariably give in to her charm and spend a few extra minutes snuggling.

Her presence made any family event more enjoyable and she often surprised us with her willingness to try new things. As her health allowed, she was up for just about anything. Whether it was attending sporting events, trips to the Columbus Zoo, visiting the annual Ohio State Fair, her Grandson’s wedding cruise or even a trip to Hawaii with her Brother’s family.  At age 80 she amazed everyone and decided to get a butterfly tattoo to celebrate her birthday.

We will miss Ethel’s big smile, her quick wit, her enthusiastic easy laugh and the twinkle in her eyes. She was always ready with a wink and a thumbs up. She was our rock and will never be forgotten.

Ethel was preceded in death by parents Virgil and Myrtle Sagraves, Husband Charles, siblings Margaret, Mary, Raymond (Sonny), Naomi, Lonnie, Robert, Larry, Clarence and Mecleda and her daughters Evelyn Sparks and Joyce Bentley. She is survived by daughter Keitha (Warren) Decker and son Michael (Karen) Brust, son-in-law Lovvoyd Bentley, grandchildren Terry (Trudi) Decker, Marshall (Kelly) Decker, Marcie Decker (Kevin), Jody Bentley and Chris Bentley. She also had 7 great grandchildren Jeffrey, Elisha, Cody, Chloe, Zoey, James and Joshua as well as numerous great-great grandchildren, her sister Lucile Jones (Rusty), and brother Earl (Janelle), and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Shaw-Davis 4341 N. High Street, Columbus, Friday November 22, 2019. There will be a viewing beginning at 2:00 pm followed by a service at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association at https://www.diabetes.org/

Thank you and God Bless