Jo-Anne Dellinger Bethea

DILLON - Jo-Anne Dellinger Bethea passed away July 21, 2008, after a long illness. She was born September 25, 1928, to Sadie Marie Blanchard Dellinger and Dr. Lester Earle Dellinger in Greenville, S.C. She grew up there, often speaking of the happy days spent playing in her neighborhood as a young child with her brother Lester. One of their favorite pastimes was developing the passion she had all of her life for baseball.

She attended Brenau College and graduated from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. At Carolina she was active in the little theatre, an interest she continued for many years. She also lettered in swimming and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority while at Carolina.

In 1952 she married the late A.W. “Red” Bethea at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenville. They had six children. Jo-Anne spent most of her adult life in Dillon, S.C., where she was active in St. Louis Catholic Church. She was instrumental in the creation of a Little Theatre in Dillon. In addition, she was a Girl Scout leader, a charter member of the St. Eugene Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the Anne Fulmore Harlee chapter of UDC, member of the DAR, a charter member of the Glove and Trowel Garden Club and participated in many other civic groups. She was totally devoted to her family - involving herself in the activities of her children with her whole heart for a lifetime. When her grandchildren came along she loved them dearly and attended as many of their activities as possible, always having an encouraging word for each of them.

She is survived by her six children: Dominican Sister Kitty Bethea, O.P., A.W. “Buddy” (Nancy), Shannon Watt (Dr. Nigel Watt), Dr. Lesa Bethea (Mark Desser), Dr. Cammie Mills (Dr. Billy Mills), and Fitzhugh (Sarita). She had twelve grandchildren: Tripp, Preston and Savannah Bethea, Emmy and Anna Watt, Madeleine, Margaret and Joseph Desser, Caroline and Luke Mills and Joanne and Fitzhugh Bethea. She is also survived by her brother, Dr. Lester E. Dellinger (Anne) of Greenville, S.C., and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Lucille Bethea Whedbee of Wilmington, N.C., and by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzhugh Bethea, III. Visitation will be at Kannaday’s Funeral Home Saturday, July 26 from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will also be conducted at Kannaday’s Funeral Home Sunday, July 27 at 3:00 p.m. with burial in Dothan Cemetery, directed by Kannaday’s Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to St. Louis Catholic Church, Friends of the Dillon County Library, Presbyterian Home of South Carolina and McLeod Hospice House of Florence.