LATTA – Mrs. Betty Jean Berry Bethea, 84, passed into Glory peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 3, 2022, with her family by her side.
Visitation was held on Sunday, February 6, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Latta Southern Methodist Church in Latta, SC. Funeral services were at 3:00 p.m., immediately following the visitation.
The burial was at Magnolia Cemetery in Latta, SC. Kannaday Funeral Home in Dillon is assisting the family.
Born in Latta, SC, on October 5, 1937, she was the daughter of the late James Carlisle Berry and Janie Bailey Berry. After graduation from Latta High School, Betty attended Columbia Commerical College, in Columbia, South Carolina. She worked at Production Credit Association in Dillon, SC until retiring in 1975 to manage her home.
Betty was a faithful wife, a loving mother & grandmother, a devoted sister, aunt, and niece. Betty married the late James William “Jimmy” Bethea in 1960 at the Latta SMC, where they raised their family. At her death, she was a member of Pyerian Baptist Church, where she enjoyed attending the Women’s Sunday School Class.
She was a member of Woodmen of the World, Lodge 120, where she served as treasurer for over 25 years, recently receiving an award for her long-time service in that capacity.
Betty enjoyed doing cross-stitch in her leisure time but her favorite hobby was gardening, and she was known for her lovely roses and hydrangeas. She also loved watching birds at her many birdhouses but was particularly fond of the cardinal.
She is survived by her sons, James Wyman Bethea (Carolyn) of Dillon and William Sheldon Bethea (Shelley) of Latta; grandsons, Ian Bethea and Eli Bethea, also of Latta; a sister, Elizabeth Cooke (the late Billy Cooke); brothers, William Carlisle Berry (Jackie) and Charles Wyman Berry (Beverly) all from Latta; brothers-in-law, Gary Thomas Bethea (Janice) and Danny Mac Bethea, both from Dillon; nieces & nephews, Laura Cooke, Sandy Owens (Mark), Billie Ann Allen (Lafon), Kyle Berry (Crystal), Susan Wilson (James) and Charlie Berry; great-nieces & nephews, Hannah Owens, Brandon Owens, Hunter Allen, Maddie Berry, Hannah Lauren Berry, Noah Wilson, Jared Wilson, and Christian Berry; a first cousin, Thomas Clifton Berry (Jean) of Dillon as well as several treasured members of the late James W. “Jimmy” Bethea’s extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband listed above.
Memorials for Betty Jean Berry Bethea are suggested to The Dillon Christian School, (P.O. Box 151, Dillon, SC, 29536) in honor of her beloved grandsons, Ian and Eli Bethea.
You may sign the online guestbook at www.kannadayfuneralhome.com.