LATTA – Alpheus Victor (Vic) Bethea, III, 76, died Friday,October 5, 2018. Funeral services will be held in Latta United Methodist Church on Sunday October 7, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Dothan Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Kannaday Funeral Home, Latta, SC, on Saturday, October 6, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Vic was born July 30, 1942, in Conway, SC, the son of Alpheus Victor Bethea Jr. and Bess Partridge Bethea. The family moved to Latta at the end of WWII, and Vic grew up there, attending Latta Area Schools and graduating in the class of 1960. Then he became a Tiger like his father and grandfather before him, graduating in 1964. After graduating from Clemson, he served two years active duty in the US Army at Fort Lee, Va. Vic followed these two years of active duty with Reserve duty, achieving the rank of LTC before retiring.
After his two years of active duty, Vic came home and joined his father and uncle in their business, Bethea Distributing Co. where he stayed for some 15 years. He then sold his interest to his cousin, Tommy, and decided to return to his Clemson family as an Extension Agent. He retired after 27 years from The Clemson Extension Service in 2008, having formed many close relationships with the farmers of both Dillon and Marlboro counties.
Vic was an active member of the Latta United Methodist Church. He taught the Men’s Class; served as a Trustee; served as chairman of the Church Council and provided a site for the class members to construct their handicap ramps, as well as being the one who did all the board cutting. He loved every minute of his work and the fellowship that went into each ramp.
Vic was a past Rotarian and a member of Dalcho Lodge # 160. He was also a member of the Latta Pig Pickin’ with backbone and rice being his specialty. And last but not least, he was a member of the “Romeo” Club – “Retired Old Men Eating Out”.
Vic is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rose Merry Farmer Bethea; a daughter, Wendy Bethea Carey (Brian) of Spartanburg; a son, Andrew (Andy) Bethea (Ann) of Latta; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Carey, Caroline Carey, Patrick Carey, Nicholas (Nic) Bethea, Philip Bethea, Jackson Bethea, Madison Oakes and Morgan Oakes; a brother, Dr. Robert P Bethea (Leslie); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Martha Rebecca (Becky) Bethea Williams and sister- in- law Sandra Bethea.
Memorials may be made to Dothan Community Inc., PO Box 205, Latta, SC 29565 or Latta United Methodist Church, PO Box 95 Latta, SC 29565
Kannaday Funeral Home is serving the family.
You may sign the online guestbook at www.kannadayfuneralhome.com.
