Betty Jean Smith Bethel

December 4, 1951 - September 18, 2017

Betty Jean Smith Bethel “65” departed her earthly life on Monday, September 18, 2017 at her home. Betty was born on December 4, 1951. She was a daughter of the late Mary Jane (Abe) Smith and the late Richard (Rosa Lee) Ramsey. Betty was married to the late Andrew Christopher Bethel. They shared the love of their blended family of seven children. Betty attended the public schools of Sumter County and was a 1973 graduate of Hillcrest High School. She continued her education in the field of nursing. She worked several jobs over the years but her heart was always in the nursing field. She worked for Cypress Nursing Facility for many years and later was employed by Personal Care of Sumter where she worked until her health failed. Betty was a member of Bethel AME Church where she accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. She later joined Anointed Word Christian Worship Center where she was a faithful member until her death. Betty was preceded in death in addition to her husband and parents, by her granddaughter, Terrica Monae` Butler; two sisters, Edith Lawrence and Marie Beale; three brothers, Abe Smith, Jr., Otis Smith, and Joseph Ramsey. Betty leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Connie Butler and Gevetta Smith, of Sumter, SC; stepchildren; Elder Eugene D. Bethel (Elder Yvonne) of Columbia, SC, Arnelda “Lenny” Mouzon (Ronnie) of Spartanburg, SC, Minister Marie D. Williams (Pastor/Dr. Charles Williams, Jr.) of Bluffton, SC, Minister Chris Bethel (Brenda) of Columbia, SC, and Lawanda D. Bethel of Bluffton, SC, Yatta S. Saunders of Monrovia Liberia, and Edna M. Saunders of Columbia, SC; three god children, Knadja (Isaac) Davis, Tikila Harriott, of Sumter, SC and Ashley Harriot of Columbia, SC; Seven sisters; Janie Lee Cook of Long Island City, NY, Mary Louise Archie, Virginia Nathaniel, Mary Ann Edwards (Oddie), Carolyn Alston (Michael), Thelma Ramsey, all of Sumter, SC and Rosa Hill of Glendale, CA; four brothers, Richard Ramsey, Jr. (Minnie), Willie Ramsey (Ruth), Elijah Ramsey (Rosa), James L. Green (Annie Mae) all of Sumter, SC; two sisters-in-law; a brother in-law, John Weston (Emma Jean); fifteen grandchildren, three were raised in the home, Erica, Rodney, and Courtney Butler; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Betty’s faith in God was strong. She had a big heart. She loved and cared for many. She will truly be missed.