OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Ethel Gisi French, 81, formerly of Dexter, Mo., left this earth to be with her Heavenly Father on Aug. 21, 2007.
She was born Feb. 19, 1926, in Essex, Mo., to Edmond and Iva (Morrison) Gisi. At Dexter, Ethel worked nine years as a seamstress, making Tom Sawyer boys apparel at the Elder Manufacturing Co. She then worked nine months at Missouri Utilities Company before moving in 1960 with her family to Oklahoma City when her husband, Earl, was employed by the Federal Aviation Agency as an A&P Aircraft Mechanic. Ethel was successful in mastering a Banking and Managing Degree for herself by attending classes at the Saving and Loan Institute, at Oklahoma City Community College and the University of Oklahoma. She was of the Baptist belief.
Ethel has also been successful in encouraging her two children to obtain a good education. Her daughter, Sue, is a graduate of Oklahoma University, then went on to achieve her master's degree in Business. Her son, Allan, is also an Oklahoma University alumni. He has received a master's degree and obtained his Doctor of Philosophy in administration. Her only granddaughter, Leigh, graduated from University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in nursing. Her 10-year-old great- grandson, Aaron, is the apple of her eye and can sometimes outsmart all of them.
Ethel believes in long-term commitments. She has been married to her husband Earl for over 64 years. She has been a member of Modern Woodmen Fraternity for over 60 years. She was employed by Union Bank for 22 years; 18 of those years she was assistant vice president and manager of a full-
service branch. Being unhappy with retirement life, she obtained her real estate license and became a realtor for Genesis Real Estate, selling houses for three years. She was also a member of the University of Oklahoma Delta Upsilon Fraternity Mother's Association, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the National Democratic Committee, and the American Business Women's Association (ABWA). She has earned ABWA's National Hand of Friendships Awards of Golden Sapphire Star by sponsoring 39 new members and she was a National Inner Circle member. She has several years of perfect attendance. She is very dedicated and supportive of Redbud Chapter's fundraising events. She was thoughtful of others and was voted Woman of the Year in 1979, 1989 and 2006.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed. Ethel leaves wonderful memories with her husband, Earl; son, Allan; daughter, Sue Lutz; granddaughter, Leigh Hagan; great grandson, Aaron Hagan, all of Oklahoma City; brothers, Charles and Wilbert Gisi of Essex; sister, Jo Hice of Dexter; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by father, Edmond Gisi and mother, Iva Gisi of Essex; brothers, Glennon Gisi of St. Louis, Raymond and Harold Gisi of Essex, brother and sister, Eugene and Stella Gisi of Dexter.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.
Funeral services, conducted by Martin Goode, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, at the funeral home chapel with burial to follow at Dexter Cemetery.
Paid obituary