Thomas C. Bethea

DILLON | Thomas Cooper Bethea formerly of Dillon, died Tuesday February 24, 2009 at McLeod Hospice House in Florence.

Born in Dillon County, South Carolina, on December 24, 1919, he was the son of Alpheus Victor and Martha Rebecca Cooper Bethea.

Mr. Bethea attended Dillon schools and graduated from Clemson University in 1941. He served as a captain in the Infantry in the United States Army during World War II. After World War II, Mr. Bethea returned to Dillon and operated farms, tobacco warehouses and farm supply businesses with his brother. He was president of Bethea Distributing Co., Inc.

Mr. Bethea was a charter member of the Dillon Kiwanis Club and a George F. Hixson Fellow. He was a lifelong member of the Main Street United Methodist Church where he was very active and served in various leadership positions and was a member of the Marvin Rast Sunday School Class. Mr. Bethea was a member of the Benjamin Ryan Tillman Society at Clemson University. In his spare time, he enjoyed time at the beach, golfing with friends, and traveling. For the last two years, he resided at the Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee in Florence.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Marjorie Hooks Bethea of Florence; two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas Cooper Bethea Jr. and his wife, Dorothy, of Dillon, and James Frank Bethea and his wife, Linda, of Columbia; and one daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie Bethea Weeks and her husband, Garner, of Briarcliffe Acres. Grandchildren include Thomas Cooper Bethea III, McLean Gaddy Bethea, and his wife, Lindsay, Bronwen Elizabeth Bethea, Mary Marjorie Bethea, and John Franklin Bethea. Mr. Bethea is also survived by his sister, Lucinda Bethea Bostick of Sumter.

He was predeceased by his brother, Alpheus Victor Bethea Jr., of Latta.

Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2009 in Main Street United Methodist Church, Dillon, with burial to follow at Dothan Cemetery, Dillon.

The family will receive friends at 2547 Highway 34 West, Dillon, immediately after the graveside service.

Please sign a guest book at TheSunNews.com.

Memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 229, Dillon, SC 29536 or Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee, 2100 Twin Church Road, Florence, SC 29501.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of McLeod Hospice House of Florence, for their care.

Kannaday's Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.