Ethel Lee Pullon Worley

September 16, 1920 - February 16, 2021

Ethel Lee Pullon Worley, age 100, of the Boozy Creek Community, passed away at the Bristol Hospice House on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Ethel Lee was born into the family of Albert Pullon and Mary Geneva McLain Pullon of Scott County, VA. She was a pretty, lovable child by all accounts and retained those characteristics until her death. Ethel Lee graduated from Hiltons High School where she played basketball and loved it. She often spoke of the good times she and the other girls had playing ball. It was some time before her mother would let her wear the team uniform because she thought it too skimpy. After graduation, she was employed as a seamstress for the “Big Jack Manufacturing Company” in Bristol where many of her friends and family were also employed. She worked for that company over 40 years. It was extremely hard work, and in her later years, her hands told the story. During these early years she lived at home with her parents and helped them any way she could. Around 1947, at a singing school, she became reacquainted with a former schoolmate, MSgt. Roy Everett (R.E.) Worley, a local young man who had just returned from the war. When he got home, he resumed his pre-WW II occupation as a farmer. They married in December 1948 and were married 55 years (until his death). They both loved to sing, and they sang gospel music with several groups during their married years. She was industrious and hardworking. She loved gardening, preserving their food, and caring for her aged parents. Hobbies included quilting (at which she was particularly good), crocheting, and making care bears to be distributed to children or adults in institutional settings. Ethel Lee was predeceased by her parents and her husband, R. E.; sister, Edith Louise Cox, brother, Fred Wiley Pullon, brother-in-law, Scott J. Cox and sister-in-law, Grace E. Pullon. Also, predeceasing her were nephew, Lawrence Gail Cox; niece, Karen Sue Pullon and great nephew, Richard Darren Bateman. She was predeceased by several brothers- in- law and their spouses: Sutton Worley, Jett Worley, Shelley Worley, Myrt Worley, Paul Worley and Charles Worley. She never had children, but Ethel Lee became the favorite Aunt for some of her nieces and nephews. Survivors are: Special nephew, Albert Wade Cox (Pat); Nieces, Donna Cox Bateman (Richard), and Mary Lee Cox Bates (Jim). In addition to their love and support, they provided faithful caregivers for her until her death. In addition, she is survived by special great niece, Janet Burgess (John), and many other nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Ethel Lee was a faithful member of Mary’s Chapel Church for over 65 years. She served the church in several capacities and greatly missed going to church when she became unable to go. The family expresses special thanks to her long-standing special church friend, Sharon Miller; devoted caregivers, LaDonna, Kellie, Amber, Brittany and Linda for the loving care they provided Ethel Lee. They also want to recognize the compassionate caregivers at Bristol Hospice House, who were so attentive to her in her final days. Due to Covid-19, there will be no visitation. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Akard Funeral Home with Richard Bateman and Keith McGrew officiating. Pallbearers will be David Cox, Lawrence Cox, Scott Bateman, Patrick Small, Wyatt Robinett and Tyler King. Honorary pallbearers are John Burgess, Steve Cook, Jim Bates, Isaac Cox, David Kissack, Charles Taylor, Rodney Pippin and AW Cox, II. The family asks that attendees adhere to current guidelines regarding masks and social distancing. Interment will follow at Mary’s Chapel Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted, or in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Mary’s Chapel Cemetery fund, c/o Donna Bateman - Treasurer, 804 Hooker Rd., Blountville, TN 37617, a project near and dear to Ethel Lee. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, (423) 989-4800 is serving the Worley family.