Ethel Craig Bannister of Vineyard Haven, formerly of Washington, D.C., died peacefully in her sleep on Oct. 23 at the Royal Falmouth Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Falmouth. She was 99.

She was born on Sept. 9, 1920, in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Wesley and Edith Craig (Docket). She married Clarence Bannister on Sept. 17, 1948. They were married for 71 blissful years.

Ethel was a devoted wife and mother and she had an unwavering faith. From an early age she attended St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Dunbar High School. Prior to her marriage, she worked briefly as a clerk at the Pentagon.

Although she lived in Massachusetts, she was always a Washingtonian at heart. While still living in D.C. as a young wife and mother, she especially enjoyed visiting her numerous relative in Maryland, which she lovingly called the country. She would often reflect on those visits and talk about the times spent sitting around the table at her Aunt Ruby’s house, talking and laughing with her many cousins or watching the Negro League play baseball at the baseball diamond. She also enjoyed hosting parties for family and friends when she lived on Myrtle avenue.

Ethel loved to travel, and did so frequently with her husband. As a faithful Catholic, she especially enjoyed their trip together to visit the Vatican in Rome.

She is survived by her husband, Clarence; sons, Quenton and Amaury; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and beloved cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, a brother Ellsworth, a son Arthur Vaughn and a grandson Christopher Vaughn.

A funeral service and interment were held in Washington, D.C., on Oct 29.

For online guestbook and more information please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.