Ethel Mae Lawson

Ethel Mae Smith-Lawson (Steel), 80, born Aug. 25, 1933 in Griggs, Oklahoma to Rev. Lee Roy Smith and Rev. Marian Frances Beal (Smith) Emerine. Former long time resident of Hatch, NM passed away on Apr. 1, 2014 in El Paso, Texas. Ethel's family came to the Hatch Valley in 1942, where both of her parents were ministers in Hatch, Garfield, and Arrey, NM for many years. She married Dr. James A. Steel on May 25, 1954. James and Ethel resided in Hatch, NM, where James was the local doctor, for over 40 years. Together they raised 5 children. Working along side her husband gave an intense indoctrination of health care, delivering babies, and caring for the residents of a community ranging from Las Cruces to Hot Springs (T or C). This was the inspiration for her pursuing a nursing degree, graduating in Las Cruces, NM in 1968. In retirement, she enjoyed Family genealogy research and indulged in the art of oil painting as was taught to her by her Grandmother Jessie Beal of Garfield and Rincon, NM. She was an active member of the LDS Church in Hatch, NM for many years. Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James; step-son, James Jr.; son, Richard; her sister, Mary Jane Thomason of Hatch, NM and brother, Herald B. Smith of Oklahoma City. She is survived by her children, Carol and Chris Shepherd of El Paso, TX; Gordon and Sandi Steel of Las Cruces, NM; and Dr. Samuel L. Steel of Las Cruces, NM; 9 grandchildren : Thomas Lawrence (Larry) Lyannas Jr, Mark David Perry, Cathy Steel-Hands, Jason A. Steel, Erica Maroney, Tabitha Chapman, Kimbra Snyder, and Steven Shepherd, Sebastian Labrada-Steel; 13 great-grandchildren: Concetta and Joseph Perry-Paul, Natalie Perry, Arianna Chapman, Christian, Kyra, and Jon Verela, Schylar King, Ethan A. and Jay Ryan Hands, David Lee Lyannas, Sarah Nicole Boot-Grimes and James Alexander Steel. Services and Interment will be private. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast.