Ethel F. Buchanan

Ethel Fairly Buchanan, age 86, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025. She was born on March 13, 1939, in Aulander, North Carolina, and lived a life rooted in faith, service, and deep love for her family.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, Giles and Sadie White; her siblings, Bob White and Becky Thompson; her daughter, Rachel Twaddle; her grandson, Kyle Dean; and her husband, Buck Buchanan.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Dean, her beloved grandchildren, Aleah Gravitt and her husband Chris Gravitt, Dakotah Menapace, and Cheyanne White, as well as her cherished great-grandchildren, Connor Gravitt and Kyleigh Gravitt, whom she all loved very dearly.

Ethel dedicated much of her professional life to caring for others as an LPN Nurse. After her nursing career, she went on to run her own health food store at the Adventist school in Virginia Beach, Virginia, a role that beautifully reflected her commitment to serving God and her community.

A woman of strong faith, Ethel was a devoted member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. She found joy in singing, sewing, gardening, and tending to her flower beds—simple pleasures that mirrored her gentle and nurturing spirit.

A memorial service to celebrate Ethel’s life will be held on January 30th at 1:00PM CT / 2:00 EST, at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A potluck-style fellowship will follow the service, and all are warmly invited to attend and share in remembrance.

For those unable to attend in person, the service will be available via live stream. To participate, please visit www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com, search for Ethel Buchanan, and select Live Stream. Guests are also encouraged to sign the online guest book, share favorite memories, and send flowers through the website.

Ethel will be remembered for her kindness, quiet strength, and unwavering faith. Her legacy of love and service will live on through all who were blessed to know her.