Longtime Ripley County resident celebrates 100th birthday

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – A local woman was joined by family and friends for a milestone birthday on Saturday.

Ethel Peace turned 100-years-old and a celebration was held at The Willows of Greensburg. 

She was born in Eastern Kentucky on November 8, 1925 and has lived quite the interesting life! 

Have you ever heard of the Hatfields and McCoy’s? Ethel’s maiden name is Hatfield and it just so happens that she is distant relation to that famous family who feuded with the McCoy’s. 

She was just 13-years-old when she met a boy named Russell. 

Those two would eventually get married in 1948 and moved to Ripley County in 1955. 

Ethel and Russell operated the Country Bait House in Versailles until 1973. 

They later owned Cedar Creek Fish Hatchery near Osgood where they raised and sold channel catfish, bass and koi until 2005.

Her and Russell also went above-and-beyond during the holidays. 

They would buy clothes and toys and deliver them to children who were in need in Appalachia. 

It was called ‘Peace’s Appalachian Children’ and they would provide gifts for upwards of 700 children in Pike County, Kentucky. 

Ethel and Russell raised four daughters, Doris, Nancy, Barbara and Angie. 

They described their mother as someone who has always taken care of those around her.

The Willows of Greensburg held a celebration that included Ethel, her family and the nursing home residents. More of her family arrived later in the day for a private party.

Ethel’s daughters credited The Willows of Greensburg for taking care of their mother, especially after the passing of Russell in 2016, when nurses provided support to Ethel during the grieving process.