Ethel May Sweet was the first born child of William and Nellie Sweet. She was born in Charlevoix County, Michigan on December 13, 1895.

In October 1913, Ethel became a telephone operator in East Jordan. She married Raymond Bell on April 8, 1918 in Flint, Michigan. They had three children - John, William, and Jane.

They settled in Muskegon and then Midland, both in Michigan.

Raymond died in 1977 just two days before his 84th birthday. Ethel died in 1984 at the age of 88.