Lionel Kenneth Etheridge was born on November 13, 1965, in the Bronx, New York, to the late Joseph Kenneth Etheridge and the late Pecolia G. Etheridge- Wilson. In 1970, he moved with his mother to North Carolina, where he completed his K–12 education at East Forsyth High School. He continued his academic journey at both North Carolina Central University and Winston-SalemState University before earning his baccalaureate degree in Business Marketing with a minor in Psychology. He later obtained his Master of Business Administration from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

A man rooted in faith from childhood, Lionel was active at Shiloh Baptist Church, participating in missionary work and singing in the choir. His life's calling became mentorship; he poured into young men across the East Coast and served as a big brother to hundreds of youth. Lionel also spent years as a counselor at the Winston Lake YMCA under the leadership of the legendary Moses "Mo" Lucas.

Professionally, Lionel held roles with SMSI in Winston-Salem, serving clients in the New York, Boston, and New Jersey markets. He went on to become Vice President of KEA Marketing, leading new business development . His greatest professional fulfillment came in healthcare management and mental health administration, culminating in his role as Executive Director of Teamcare Mental Health Agency. He retired early in 2013 due to health challenges.

After several years of illness, Mr. Etheridge transitioned to eternal rest on December 5, 2025. Lionel was a proud member of numerous organizations, including the National Council of Negro Women (associate membership), the Friends of the Winston-Salem Library, and his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Janie Santiago; his mother, Pecolia G. Etheridge-Wilson; and his father, Joseph Kenneth Etheridge, Jr.

Lionel leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Amara Craig, and his nephew, Shaymus Craig, both of Toronto, Ontario; his son, Lionel Ray Robinson (Glasher) of Greensboro, North Carolina; and his two granddaughters, Lauren Rae Robinson and Logan Remae Robinson. He is also survived by his uncle, Samuel Lee Griffin, Jr. of Baltimore, Maryland, along with a host of cousins, fraternity brothers, and dear friends who loved him deeply.

A service will be held in his memory at 12:30pm Friday December 12, 2025 at Providence Baptist Church, 1106 Tuscaloosa Street, Greensboro, NC 27406. The family will receive friends from 12pm-12:30pm at the church Friday. Inurnment will be held at 11:00 am Saturday December 13, 2025 at Evergreen Cemetery.