LANCASTER, SC ::::::::::: Mrs. Sally Galloway Bethea, age 89, widow of the late Willis Dabbs Bethea, Sr., passed away September 15, 2013 in Columbia, SC. She was born November 11, 1923 in Mallory, SC, the daughter of the late James Alpheus Galloway and Mary Ella Proctor Galloway. She attended American University in Washington, DC and worked for the Bureau of Aeronautics in New York City. She married Willis D. Bethea, Sr., on June 21, 1952 and raised 5 children. Mrs. Bethea was an active member of First United Methodist Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, Women's Circle member and various church offices. She was a Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader and an active school volunteer. She was a charter member of the Green Gardeners Club, the Study Club, the Book Club and several other community programs. She also enjoyed years of gardening, arranging flowers, judging flower shows, and achieved various merits and awards for her horticultural and artistic talent. She started a successful flower and cake business which she enjoyed for a number of years.

She lived with a fullness of meaning and accomplishment that is not always a common thing to see. Caring was a part of her. Growing was a part of her. She was satisfied only with the best of herself and then only for a fleeting moment. She believed that in reaching out her hand, constantly stretching beyond her limits, for the best in herself, that she would touch the hand of eternity.

Mrs. Bethea is survived by a son, Willis Bethea, Jr. and his wife Tangie of Columbia, four daughters; Laine B. Wiedemann and her husband Edward of Greenwood, Liz B. Fuller and her husband Dave of Columbia, Mandy B. Keaveny of Charleston, and Lisa B. Pettit and her husband Bryan of Lancaster, a sister, Mary G. Mitchell of Beaufort, and 10 grandchildren, Will and Tanner Bethea, John and Michael Wiedemann, Emily Wiedemann Ensor, Ross Fuller, Thomas, Sarah Grace and Maglin Keaveny, and Jory Pettit.

Mrs. Bethea was preceded in death by her husband, a sister, Ella G. Coffey, two brothers, William Galloway and James Galloway, and a granddaughter, Mary Olivia Pettit.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Mrs. Bethea will be 11:00 am Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at First United Methodist Church conducted by Rev. Charles Phillips with a private burial at a later date.

The family is receiving friends following the church service in the fellowship hall and later at her home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 608, Lancaster, SC 29721.


A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Mrs. Bethea will be 11:00 am Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at First United Methodist Church conducted by Rev. Charles Phillips with a private burial at a later date.

The family is receiving friends following the church service in the fellowship hall and later at her home.