"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7

L ou E llen M oultrie B ethea was born on April 16, 1935 in Marlboro County, South Carolina to the late Deacon Perry Moultrie and Reverend Louise Moultrie.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelations 21: 4

On Friday, January 31, 2020 at McLeod Health in Dillon, South Carolina, the heavenly gates opened from above and God sent down his precious angels to bring Lou Ellen home. On the 13th day of February 1955, Lou Ellen married Reverend Fest Bethea and to this union they had ten children.

Lou Ellen graduated from Latimer High School, Latta, South Carolina. After graduating, she went to work at Craftex Creations in Latta, South Carolina and later worked at Dillon Manufactured in Dillon, South Carolina.

At an early age, Lou Ellen accepted Christ as her personal savior and joined New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Latta, South Carolina. She loved laboring for the Lord and the life she led spoke for her. While at New Hope, she worked with the Missionary Society, BTU, Pastor's Aide, Senior Citizens Club and could never say no when asked to help with other auxiliaries. After her husband became a Pastor to Reedy Branch Missionary Baptist Church and St. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, her work continued. She joined both churches Senior Choirs and was an awesome Women's Class teacher. Her love for his word was shown threw out her teaching and many souls were blessed and saved, and was also one of the Past Presidents of the Berea Missionaries.

Lou Ellen was not a selfish woman. she was a seamstress, gardener and loved flowers. She was very active in the community until her health failed. Her community involvement consisted of being a member of Dora Tent #36 United Order of Tents, J. R. Giddens and Joliffee Union Southern District #4, member of NAACP, Latta School Board past Chairwoman where she served for over twenty years, Thursday Noon Day Prayer Band treasurer and she loved working at the Community Mission in Latta, South Carolina.

Lou Ellen was preceded in death along with her parents, two daughters: Darlene and Cynthia; one set of twins, and one sister: Mae Clyde Hall.

Lou Ellen's legacy will continue with her husband of sixty-four years: Rev. Fest Bethea of Latta, SC; five daughters: Linda Ann Bethea, Ellen Marie Bethea, Sharon Grissett all of Latta, SC, Sandra Burch of Prince George, VA and Angel (Kenny) Clarke of Dillon, SC; one son: Ronnie (Sandra) Bethea of Charlotte, NC; one sister: Mary J. Sparrow of Hephzibah, GA; eight grandchildren: Melinda Bethea, Anthony Bethea, Machaela Nicole DeBerry, Ronnie Bethea II all of Latta, SC, Andrew Grissett, Jessica (Quentin) English both of Charlotte, NC, Joseph Burch, and Joshua Burch both of Prince George, VA; eight great grandchildren; one aunt: Mable Graham; JoAnn Bethea who was just like a daughter and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.