<P> At first , Fred 's main enemy on the show was in his sister - in - law and Lamont 's aunt , Ethel ( Beah Richards ) . Ethel 's involvement in the Sanfords ' family squabbles lasted only midway through the second season , whereupon she was replaced with her more tart - tongued sister , Esther . </P>
<P> At first , Fred 's main enemy on the show was in his sister - in - law and Lamont 's aunt , Ethel ( Beah Richards ) . Ethel 's involvement in the Sanfords ' family squabbles lasted only midway through the second season , whereupon she was replaced with her more tart - tongued sister , Esther . </P>
who played aunt ethel on sanford and son
who played aunt ethel on sanford and son
Beah Richards
Beah Richards