Ms. Shirlyn Elaine Bethea

Life Reflections Shirlyn Elaine Bethea was born to Jessie M. Bethea and George Sutton Bethea, Jr. on a beautiful Wednesday, June the 28th 1950, in Bennettsville, South Carolina. At the time her father had discharged from the Marine CORPS and was planning a career in the United States Air Force. Her father joined the Air Force and was stationed years later at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where her little sister “Beep”or as everyone knows her as Betty was born at the Army hospital at Fort Bragg North Carolina. As years progressed, they moved to Sumter, South Carolina where Mr. Bethea was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base until he transitioned. Eventually, Shirlyn grew up in Sumter and attended St. Jude High School and graduated in the Class of 1968. She attended St. Mary’s of the Woods College located in St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana and graduated four years later in the area of music education. Eventually, she became a certified in reading intervention. Shirlyn worked in the Green County area (the town of Snow Hill) for 33 years. After retiring from the school system, she moved back home to take care of her mother and became active in her church St. Jude Roman Catholic Church. Shirlyn was a pianist for 15 years, serving the 9:30 morning Mass on Sunday’s. She also became a Member of Knights & Ladies which is of St. Peter Claiver and a Member of the Cursillo Group. At one time with music still continually in her heart, she was the vocal coach for the youth band at St. Jude/St. Ann churches. At some point Shirlyn decided to volunteer with the prison ministry of Lee County and Tuberville, South Carolina. She will be truly missed by her devoted friends and family; special blessings to Noreen Wall, Catherine Wortherly, Fran, Nicole Macedo, Tersea, and Cindi. They were truly friends to the end. She was predeceased by her parents: George S. Bethea Jr. and Jessie M. Bethea She leaves loving family members who will miss her dearly; her beloved sister Betty Bethea-Williams and brother-in-law Lionel Williams all of Knightdale, NC; niece and nephew Jessica Williams and Jestin Williams, her aunt Lois Bacote and uncle Gregory Bacote of Gwynn Oak, MD; her uncle Andrew and aunt Becky of New Brighton, PA; an uncle, Garrett of Baltimore, MD and a host of cousins, especially Daniel, Champ, Carolyn, Joann, DeeDee, Lewlyn, Harriet and many cousins and friends. “ Shirlyn will forever be in our hearts.”

Ms. Shirlyn Elaine Bethea

June 28, 1950 - November 23, 2022