Sister Mary Ethelbert

In an earlier post, I was searching for an obituary for Sr Inez. I thought I would look up ay other (possibly forgotten) teachers.

I found one notable teacher. This teacher is actually one of our more unforgettable teachers: Sister Mary Agnes. Now that name "Mary Agnes" does not ring a bell to the St Paul School alums, but we actually knew her by another name, Sister Mary Ethelbert. Many of you will remember her as the 4th grade teacher at St Paul. What happened is when the Mercy Order of Nuns changed order rules, they allowed the sisters to use their real names instead of their given name at the time of their final vows. Most opted to keep the same name, but a few like St Ethelbert opted to return to their given at birth name.

Of course to her students in 4th grade at St Paul, she will always be Sr Mary Ethelbert.


Sister Mary Agnes HOBBS
Age 91
Nashville, TN

Sister Mary Agnes HOBBS died on October 15, 2004 at Mercy Convent. Mary Agnes was born in Johnson City, TN, on May 14, 1913, the youngest of 13 children born to Florence and George Hobbs. At an early age Mary Agnes and her family moved to Baltimore, MD, where she received her early education. Sister Mary Agnes entered the Sisters of Mercy in Dubuque, Iowa on August 8, 1933 and made Profession of Vows on March 12, 1936. She received her professional education at Siena College and Memphis State University in Memphis and Notre Dame College in Maryland. Sister spent 50 years of teaching and administration in the Parochial Schools of the Diocese of Nashville. She taught in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Lawrenceburg and Elizabethton. Sister's retirement only gave her more time to work with those less fortunate - visiting the sick, feeding the hungry and helping L aotian families adjust to American life. She ministered at Holy Name Parish in their outreach programs to the needy. In 1995, Sister Mary Agnes was nominated for the Mary Catherine Strobel Award. Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her six brothers and six sisters. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

I was in Nashville and stopped by St Cecelia Convernt

This is not a good post. I was in Nashville Friday with my dad. He wanted to see one of my school teachers. We went to St Cecelia's Convent. Regrettably Sister Inez passed away 1 year ago (June 7, 2006). I did stop by and saw her grave that is located on the convent grounds. r Inez had a profound influence on my growth as a person.

I located her obituary and thought I would post it:

From the Tennessean
Sister Inez CABANISS

June 7, 2006
Davidson
CABANISS, Sister Inez: A member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville for 62 years, died June 7, 2006 in the convent infirmary after a brief illness. A native of Dallas, TX, Sister Inez was the daughter of the late Walter and Inez Eaton Cabaniss, both of Dallas. During the 56 years she was active in Catholic education, Sister Inez held numerous teaching and administrative positions in schools in the Dioceses of Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville, as well as in Cincinnati and Cleveland, OH. From 1986-1989, she served as President of Aquinas College in Nashville. Since her retirement from active teaching in 2000, she had resided at St. Cecilia Mother-house. Sister Inez is survived by four brothers, Mr. Charles Cabiniss of Dallas, TX, Mr. Harry Cabaniss of Rogers, AR, Mr. Robert Cabaniss of Waxahachie, TX, Mr. Samuel Cabiniss of Flirt, TX and by a sister, Mrs. Juanita (Gene) Shields of Waco, TX; and by several devoted nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Lt. Mark Cabaniss and her sisters, Mrs. Marie Raines and Mrs. Anne Pridham. The Funeral Mass will be Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 4 p.m., in the St. Cecilia Convent Chapel. Burial will follow at the convent cemetery.