In her 81 years of life, Ethel Smith has given birth to four children, and yet has been a mother figure for a total of 12 children! Ethel's first husband passed when her youngest of four was just five years old. Ethel married George Rawley who was widowed and had two children of his own. George and Ethel moved to Corbett in 1966 and bought 80 acres of land. It was their original intent to subdivide and make eight 10 acre parcels to sell. They grew so fond of the beautiful land that they decided to keep it all! Originally they clear cut the thousands of fir trees on their land, but Ethel says that was a mistake. Now they just "thin" the trees to make for bigger and healthier trees. Over the years Ethel and George were heavily involved in the Corbett Grange, with George being the Grange Master. By driving around and visiting folks, they recruited 125 new members one year! Together with their kids, they raised calves, horses, chickens, goats, peacocks and chows. In 1968 George built the family's museum, right on the property. Over forty years later, folks are STILL talking about the enormous structure that still has just about anything and everything you can think of on display in it! George passed away and Ethel married her current husband, Charlie Smith who had three children. Before Charlie's wife died, she had been friends with Ethel for over 20 years. Currently Ethel attends church at Bridal Veil Community Church on Lucas Road. For over 10 years she had a bible study and potluck in her home and neighbors from all over gathered on Tuesdays. Today Ethel still volunteers at the Grange and can be seen collecting money at the doorway for the "Helping Hands" program on Mondays. Ethel smiles broadly when she states that her will says the family acreage will be divided among her children and can never be sold once she passes.
