Ethel Jean Custer, 80, of Fayetteville went to be with her Lord on Thursday, July 7, 2011. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carley and Eunice Smith, a brother, William Smith and her husband of 52 years, James \\"Jim\\" Custer. Ethel taught preschool at Ft. Bragg for many years and always had a special place in her heart for working with little children. She is survived by her daughter, Beth Custer Autry and husband Gary Autry and her granddaughter, Ashley Autry. She is also survived by sisters Mabel Thrower and Frieda Smith of Jacksonville, Alabama, Judy McClellan of Saks, Alabama, Mildred Mosley of Ralo, Missouria and a brother, LeRoy Smith of Weaver, Alabama. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm on Saturday, July 9, 2011, at Jernigan Warren Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held graveside on Sunday, July 10, 2011, at 2 pm in LaFayette Memorial Park with Dr. Bruce Martin officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be mad to Village Baptist Church or Operation Bandana in care of Mary Gray, PO Box 87356 Fayetteville NC 28304.