Thomas Cooper Bethea

FLORENCE - Thomas Cooper Bethea, formerly of Dillon, died Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at McLeod Hospice House in Florence, South Carolina. 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, South Carolina.

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 a 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 at 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 26, 2009, at Main Street United Methodist Church, Dillon, South Carolina, with burial to follow at Dothan Cemetery, Dillon County, South Carolina. The family will receive friends at 2547 Highway 34 West, Dillon, South Carolina, immediately after the graveside service.

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

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