Jessie McKay Bethea

Jessie McKay Bethea, 87, wife of the late George S. Bethea Jr., died Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at the National Healthcare Center. Born July 15, 1924, in Marlborough County, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Jessie Anna Davis McKay Sr.

She was a graduate of Morris College in the Class of 1965. She was an Educator in both Clarendon and Sumter County District II for over 19 years. She was a member of Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church where she served in the following capacities: Senior Missionaries and the Pastors Support Ministry, Sunday school teacher and former member of the Senior Choir. Mrs. Bethea was a member of the Ballard Palmer American Legion Post and the S.C. Retired Teachers Association.

Survivors are two daughters: Shirlyn E. Bethea of the home and Betty Bethea-Williams and her husband Lionel of Knightdale, N.C.; two grandchildren: Jestin Williams and Jessica Williams; sisters, Martha Birdsall of Raliegh, N.C., Mildred Garrett of Baltimore, Md., Lois Bacote of Gwynn Oak, Md.; a brother, Andrew McKay of New Brighton, Pa.; a special friend, Raliegh McCoy of Sumter.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 14, 2012, at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church with the Sr. Pastor, Rev. Dr. Marion H. Newton officiating. Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park. Mrs. Bethea will be placed in the church for public viewing from 1 p.m. until the hour of service. The public may view from 1-6 p.m. this evening, Friday, July 13, at the Palmer Memorial Chapel, 304 South Main Street, Sumter. The funeral procession will depart from the family residence of 955 Tristan Street in Sumter at 1 p.m. on Saturday.