Our Heavenly Father called Deaconess Ethel Breland to a peaceful rest on Sunday, March 14, 2010, at Fort Washington Hospital, Fort Washington, Maryland. She was born in Kiln, Mississippi on September 25, 1919, to the late Bill and Viola McLeod. The family later moved to Picayune, Mississippi.

Deaconess Breland was married to the late Deacon Fred McGrew, Sr. from 1938 until his passing in 1975. Born to this union was one loving daughter, Sherra Nelson. In 1977, she married Deacon Jack Breland and inherited a wonderful family of eight sons and four daughters.

She was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus Christ as a child. She was a long time member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Picayune where she served as a Deaconess, Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher for the Adult Class, Senior Mission President and President of the Crusaders Sunday School Class.

She later joined Bethlehem Baptist Church also in Picayune and served faithfully as a Deaconess and Trustee. In July 1997, after relocating to reside with her daughter, she united with Macedonia Baptist Church in Bryans Road, Maryland, where she served faithfully as a Deaconess, Missionary, and Daily Bread Coordinator. During the pastorate of Rev. Franklin Merritt, Deaconess Breland was named as one of the Mothers of the church and was affectionly loved and known by all as "Mother Breland". Mother Breland was one of the founding members of the MBC "Forever Faithful" Ministry which provides praise and worship services every Monday at the Fort Washington Health and Rehabilitation Center located in Fort Washington, Maryland.

Deaconess Breland graduated in 1937 from Picayune High School and later studied at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, in the area of management and quantity cookery. From 1952 to 1967, she was employed as School Lunch Manager at George Washington Carver High School.

From 1967 to 1981, she was employed by Mississippi Action for Progress, Inc. (MAP), Project Head Start. In preparation for her work with MAP, she attended Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to study Early Childhood Development and Social Studies. Deaconess Breland retired from MAP, Inc. in 1981 as an Educational Specialist for three counties.

Following retirement, Deaconess Breland spent her time volunteering at Crosby Memorial Hospital and Pearl River County Department of Human Services. From 1987 until she relocated, she was producer, director and host of the Sunday News & Praise Time Program on the local radio station WRJW from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. each Sunday.

Cherishing Mother Breland's memory as a loving mother and mother-in-law are Deaconess Sherra N. Nelson and Deacon Earl Nelson. Also, as a loving grandmother, she leaves nine grandchildren; Ronald, Andrea Williams (Miguel), Cynthia Butler (Tommie), Bruce, Venetta Woods (Everett), Lavinia Maki (Curtis), Sharon Gilliam, Cynthia Horton (William), Jo Anita Gilliam and a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She also leaves many dear friends and two very special friends, Mrs. Willie Reynolds and Mrs. Gladys Parker.

Mother Breland's favorite hymn was "Blessed Assurance" and her favorite scripture was "Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13:8.

Viewing, Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 5560 Pleasant Grove Road, Marbury, Maryland from 11:00am until time of Service, 12 noon. Interment, Macedonia Baptist Church, 2645 Marshall Hall Road, Bryans Road, Maryland.

Arrangements entrusted to THORNTON Funeral Home, P.A. Indian Head, Maryland.