Louise Artist-Etheridge

Louise Artist-Etheridge was born on June 28, 1944, to Benjamin Robert Artist and Alma Eckels-Artist. A proud native of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, she spent her early years living in both the Marcy Projects and on Jefferson Avenue. It was there that she met the love of her life, Edward Etheridge, whom she would later marry. Together, they raised their three children—Cynthia, Gary, and Rodney. The family later moved to the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, then to Irvington, New Jersey, before settling in their current home in Claymont, Delaware.

Louise began her early career as a receptionist at Seventeen Magazine, a position she thoroughly enjoyed. As time went on, she pursued further education, earning her high school equivalency diploma from the State University of New York in 1985. She also received a Business Administration Certificate from York Institute. These achievements led to her professional roles as an administrative assistant at Warner Brothers in Secaucus, New Jersey, and later in medical records at Christiana Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.

Even in retirement, Louise remained active and engaged with her community. She found joy working part-time at Cherie’s Champu Beauty Salon where she enjoyed the camaraderie, conversation, and connection with others—a job that brought her much fulfillment.

Louise loved life. She found joy in cooking, dancing, and listening to music. She possessed a remarkable sense of order and grace, qualities that left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. Her deep love for family and friends was evident in all she did, and we are eternally grateful to have experienced that love.

Louise now rests peacefully with the Lord, reunited with her beloved daughter, Cynthia; her sisters, Arlene and Geraldine; and her brothers, Benjamin Jr., Kenneth, and Phillip.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Edward; her sons, Gary and Rodney; her sister, Benrita; her granddaughters, Candace and Ashley; sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Catherine ; brothers-in-law, Frankie and Leamus; nieces, Bernadette, Valencia, Rhonda, Christine , Diane, Yolanda, and Ebony; her nephew, Charles Edward Corry Jr.; and a host of cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.