Mary “Cookie” Bethea

For our citizenship is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, Lord Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 3:20

Sister Mary Elizabeth Bethea, “Cookie” as family and friends affectionately called her,

departed this life on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at her home with her children on Waverly Street

in Lake View, South Carolina. She was the third child born to Woodrow Wilson Bethea and

Melvina Kelly Bethea in Lake View, South Carolina. (Geraldine, Woodrow, Mary, and Alice)

Ms. Cookie attended the public schools of Dillon County. She was a

proud graduate of Columbus High School – Lake View, South

Carolina. She was the secretary of her class “Class of 1966”. She

truly enjoyed spending time with her classmates during the annual

Columbus High School Reunion.

Ms. Cookie worked faithfully for Pilliod Furniture Company in

Nichols, South Carolina for over 25 years until the closing of

Business. She then started doing what she really loved to do, taking

care of the elderly. She helped several families in the Lake View and

Dillon area with their love ones until they passed on. She also took

care of all of her grandchildren until they were school age. She

always let people know that taking care of her grandchildren was

the best job. She truly loved and enjoyed her grandchildren. She called them Cookies’

Crumbs.

Ms. Cookie was a lifelong member of Little Mount Zion Baptist Church in Lake View, South

Carolina. She loved her church and church family. But she often fellowshipped with Shady

Grove Baptist Church and with her grandchildren at Union AME Church, both in Lake View,

South Carolina. She was one of the original members of the YWA of Little Mount Zion Baptist

Church. She served this organization diligently. She truly enjoyed, loved, and respected all

her sisters in the YWA.

Ms. Cookie loved God, Life, and Shopping. Shopping with her

daughters was one of her favorite pass times. Her all-time favorite

saying was, “If my hands had the money my mind was on

shopping.” She especially loved shopping for beautiful shoes and

clothes. She was always happy to spend time with family and

friends. Whenever someone would come to her house they were

always welcome. She would always offer them something to eat

or drink. Nothing bought her more joy than spending time with

all her family and friends and cooking for her CRUMBS. Sunday

dinners were priceless.

Ms. Cookie leaves to cherish fond memories: Two devoted

daughters Angela (Jerry) Bethea-Grant of Mullins, SC and Monique Bethea-Covington of

Columbia, SC – One loving son Derrick (Tamara) Bethea of Lake View, SC – Six bundles of joy

grandchildren (Her Crumbs) Keneisha (Fred), Jeria, Taylor, Alyssa, Derrick Jr., and Trinity –

One dedicated sister Geraldine Marie Fullmore of Fairmont, NC – A son adopted as her own

Christopher (Crystal) Womack. Many adopted children – Gregory, Lorenzo, Darren, Yolanda,

Eric J, Roslyn, Lakeisha, Shannon, Chantago, Damond, Christopher H, Wilbur, Willie, Plachett,

Eric D, and many more - Four special cousins Eva Mae Harrington, Brenda Nixon, Nanette

Hayes, and Maggie Gaddy. And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

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