LANCASTER, SC:::::::::: Mr. John Buell Jack Bethea, Jr., age 91, died Sunday, April 10, 2016 at Morningside of Lancaster. He was born October 20, 1924 in Jackson, Mississippi, a son of the late John Buell Bethea, Sr. and Mamie Freeman Bethea and was the husband of the late Joyce Crawford Bethea. Mr. Bethea served our country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II as a navigator and retired from the United States Air Force Reserve as a Major. Mr. Bethea was Transportation Manager for Springs Mills and retired as President of L & C Railway. He was a long time member of the Lancaster Rotary Club and he applied the Pledge to all his business dealings. He was a past member and served on the board for the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bethea was a committed church member serving as Deacon, Sunday School teacher and in many other capacities at First Baptist Church and Covenant Baptist Church where he was also a charter member.
Mr. Bethea is survived by a son, John Audis Bethea, Sr. and his wife, Norma of Lancaster; a son-in-law, William A. Westmoreland of Lancaster; five grandchildren, John Audis Bethea, Jr. and his wife, Christina of Charleston, WV, Anna Lauren Fresk and her husband, Spencer of Charlotte, NC, Callen Frances Bethea and her fianc, Tyler Outen of Vidalia, GA, Cayce Bethea Campbell and her husband, Justin of Lancaster and Drew Anne Westmoreland of Los Angeles, CA; and four great grandchildren, Huntley Olivia Fresk, Lila Noelle Fresk, Audrey Joyce Bethea and Caroline Jack Bethea.
Mr. Bethea was preceded in death by his wife and a daughter, Jan Bethea Westmoreland. The Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Mr. Bethea will be 3:00 pm, Sunday, April 17, 2016 at First Baptist Church by Rev. Randy Hatcher. Burial will follow at Lancaster Memorial Park.
The Family will receive friends from 6:00 8:00 pm Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Burgess Funeral Home, 1800 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South Carolina, 311-B North Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720.