Golden Wedding Mr. and Mrs. Allen Thomas Bethune

Celebrate Golden Wedding Mr. and Mrs. Allen Thomas Bethune, former residents of this city celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a large and lovely reception on Saturday at their country home in Mecklenburg county. Yellow roses, daffodils, and yellow tapers were used as room decorations. Receiving with the celebrants in the living room were their children Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Bethune, Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Bethune of Richmond, Va., Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Bethune of Columbia, S. C., Mr. and Mrs E. E. Bethune, and Miss Frances Bethune.

Mrs. Bethune was gowned in aqua crepe and wore a shoulder bouquet of yellow rosebuds. Miss Betsy Bethune of Richmond, Va., granddaughter of the couple, kept the guest register in the gift room, where numerous gifts in gold were displayed. In the dining room the table was spread with hand-made lace and centered with a three-tier wedding cake ornamented with yellow roses. A salad plate was served by Misses Susan and Sarah Frances Bethune and Miss Gerry Genrich, the latter of Columbia, S C. Coffee was poured by Mrs Edna J. Almand of this city, and Mrs. Jack Drye served punch. Receiving hours were from 2 in the afternoon to 7 in the evening, and more than 100 guests called to extend congratulations and felicitations. The only absent member of the family, Mrs. Orin R. Parris of Salt Lake City, Utah, called her parents by long distance while the reception was in progress. Out-of-town guests were Mrs. Kate McNaull, Mr. Eugene Brown, Gene and Lorena Brown of Columbia, S.C., Mrs. D. M. Bethune, Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Cobb, Mrs. R. C. Grant, Richard Grant, Mrs. J. V. Fagan, Mrs. Leonard King, and Mrs. John McDonald of Hartsville, S. C., Mrs. John Cagle and Hugh Cagle of Hamlet, Mr. and Mrs Hugh Witherspoon of Maysville, S. C, Mrs. E. Z. Truesdale, Miss Stella Bethune, and Mrs. M. G. King at Bethune, S. C., the Rev. and Mrs. Neil S. Truesdale, Rebecca and Althea Truesdale of Newberry, S. C.,

 Mrs. Hattie J. Ross, Mrs. A. C. Jones, Mrs. Maude Green, and Miss Margaret Bostie of Forest City Mrs ttussell Riley of Blacksburg. S. C., Mrs. A. Feuer and Ronald Feuer of Dallas, Mrs. Maggie Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Klllough, and Mrs E. B. Austin of Matthews; Mr and Mrs. John R. Bamett of Huntersville; Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. O. K. Forrester. Worth Jordan, Miss Nancy Jordan, Charlie Ledford, Mlu Nell Lee. Mrs. Paul Xhyne, Miss Elolse Hesbitt, Mrs tfova Tatham, Mrs. H. M. Webb. Kr.' and Mrs. Thomas C. Church E Halnes Gregg, Otis L. Peach, and Ur. and Mrs. Bcb Green of Gas- tonla; Mr. and Mra. Charles Baker of PfnevUle, and Mr. and Mrs Ray Preslar and Mr.^nd Mra. Hardy Davis of BelmocC Source: The Gastonia Gazette, Woman's Page 19 April 1950 Note: The above was taken from an OCR rendering as a paid subscription is required to see the actual document. As such, there are many misspellings, especially in the last paragraph. -KV

Margaret Letter To Mary July 7, 1984

July 7th 1984

Dear Mary,

We wish you a "Happy Birthday"  I remember - Papa took us (me Mac and Louise) down to Aunt May's - at that time she was living in a house across the road, while her "big" home, (on the other side, where it is now) was not completed. Aunt May was always so good to us, and especially if Mama needed her to help with the children. I don't remember Aunt May ever being real provoked at any of us. If she ever said No! don't do that!!!! we knew she wasn't "fooling." If we didn't say, "thank you," and "please at the table, we were corrected and then we got what we asked for. If we didn't, (like Mac she wouldn't say either -she had to leave the table without getting what she asked for.

You was a "beautiful baby" I thought. "Ole Aunt Delia" was with Mama-  She alway called Mama, "Babe" She had looked after Mama when a child. She and her husband lived on the Chesterfield Road in their own house and they would cut thru our field to get to the road in front of our home. and I remember, we little girls always knew when Douglas was coming, he always smoked a pipe and we could "smell it." I was allowed to "hold you" if Id sit right in the low rocking chair, that Mama always sat in when she would rock the "little ones" to sleep at night. We had a nice comfortable Home to live in. It was very impressive two-story home. Beautiful setting under the Big oak Trees and the lovely Magnolia. We each had a porch to have our "play house home" in - with our dolls we'd (J.K. Me, Mac & Louise) go visiting each other - our greetings were: How are you "Miss Kate" today - She'd say the same each of us was "Miss Kate", I don't remember how we all decided on the one name. (JK was never called Kate, only when we were "playing house."

I soon tired of dolls and I wanted to hold you as I was almost eight in August 12th after you were born.

Mama sewed for all of us, except Janie Kate - Aunt May and Grandma looked after her.

Janie Kate 1898 was born at the old Thomas home at the Cross Road. The later Papa had a job with A.M. McNair at Clyde S.C. it was then a post office. Later, before I was born Aug 12th 1900 we lived at Clyde S.C. after I was born. Papa was Mr McNair's bookkeeper

Mama and Papa and J.K. + me lived in house across the road from the McNair Home which was a big house up on a high ? Hill. They had a daughter, that J.K. loved to play with and her name was "Bessie" -My! I was a "little" baby and named: Margaret Elizabeth, which was too much name for a two year old (J.K.) So she cried and begged to let her call me by her friends name; So thats how I got that name Bessie, which I didn't like as I grew older - The other sisters had names of relatives and Bessie wasn't a relative name - So I always loved my real name - but was never called either name "Margaret or Elizabeth", until John and I went to a "Retirement Home" at Myrtle Beach S.C. then I announced my name Margaret. Have been called this for over three years. It seemed more "elegant" to me. All of my Legal papers - Insurance all business transactions was Margaret Elizabeth our Marriage License of course too.

I was so happy when Patricia's baby girl was born and she had you, Mary, the proud grandmother, to call me and tell me that the new baby girl was given one of my names - "Elizabeth" - Made me feel so proud that some one in the "Family" (Bethune) would carry on the same name of our great grandmother, her name was Elizabeth Reeves. Mama told me I was named after my two great grandmothers.

Mary have you told this to Elizabeth or Lisa. I'd love to know my name sake, maybe some times this Summer!!!

Mary, you were named for Papa sister Aunt "Mary Yarborough" and Aunt Mary Thomas which was "Aunt May". Mama's sister Sally Louise was named for Aunt Sally, Papa's sister, McCaskill. Janie {Catherine + Papa's mother Kate was named for both grandmothers, and Aunt Kate McNaull Papa's sister. Mac was named for Papa and Mama. Emma Malcolm.

Last, but not leas - when I M.E. was eleven years old, another baby girl - her name is Thornwell Faye - name for Mama's brother Thornwell Thomas. He was older than Mama and he died when his two sons (were small) Thornwell Norwood Thomas (Aunt Sallie's maiden name - and Hamilton Thomas named for one grandfather Thomas. Faye was the last of the girls - she ___ the older sisters thought she was "spoiled". But any way she was loved very much by all of us. She knew then, that Mama "____" for her to come now.

Well! Mary I know you are wondering why I've written this to you. Maybe you'd like to have it copied and give copies to your children. Hows that for a Happy Birthday present?? Hope you have many more. You have a wonderful family and you taught them the Gospel and they are a joy and a great pleasure to you. (You had a big decision to make early in your Life about you and your family). A beautiful daughter and two good looking sons. They are all true to the gospel that you taught to them.

Their families are to be proud of. I know you can truely love them and be very proud of the good decisions you made many years ago. and now I'm thinking of the "big" Bethune Reunion we had together - and how your family of good looking boys and girls. I've enjoyed remembering that Reunion - our family John & mine, was a very small one.

I'm so glad you and all your family could come back to the "place" where our Bethune began. Oh!: if Mama and Papa could have seen all of us. I know they would have been proud of their "Six Daughters" - and their families.

Then our last Reunion of the Six Sisters - and some of their family, is well to be remember. It was such a "short time" to be together our last time, Before we had to part with one one of the Sisters, and the Circle was broken. She was too young to die, I heard her lonely daughter, Carolyn make that remark the day of her mothers funeral. It was such a sad time for all of us. Then we were all together again. She left behind those attractive grandchildren and their Mother who has made such a good mother for them. They all loved their Granny so much and she loved them.

I hate to stop writing on "this sad note" but I've never written anything about Louise unless I cried! Never had an idea that she'd go before I did. Guess she was more prepared to go, than I.

Hope I'll get to see you this Summer. ___ disappoint me & all of us.

Love to you and all your family.

Bessie or Margaret.

Daniel Malcolm Bethune Life Story

My great grandfather, Neil Bethune, left Scotland in the latter part of the eighteenth century and settled in Montgomery County, North Carolina. My grandfather, Daniel Bethune, born 19th of December, 1799, came down to Kershaw County, South Carolina, when a young man and married Christian McCaskill 18 Feb 1841 who was born in Scotland Apr. 1810.  The large majority of the descendants live in that same section of the County which is known as Bethune, S.C. having been given that name about 1900 in honor of my father at a reception in Richmond, Va. for that purpose by the  Seaboard Air Line Railroad.

My father Daniel Murdock Bethune was born in Kershaw County 20 Feb. 1845, married Esther Catherine McCaskill born in 1847 in Chesterfield County near Jefferson S.C. 16 Jan.1868. I am their oldest child born 19 Dec 1868. I was christened in Presbyterian Church. They had 2 sons and 4 daughters Dan Sallie Mary Maggie Al & Kate. My mother died at birth of youngest—Kate—at age 32. I was only 12 and this was my first real grief. I felt her loss keenly.

I had little schooling – went 3 years to a one teacher school ten weeks each year. In my late teens, however I went to Atlanta Ga. with money I had saved from working and took a Business course. I was offered a job at the school but refused and came home after I finished.

Our home was of moderate means as result of War between the States. Sherman burned nearly everything they couldn’t carry away. My father was in S.C. House of Representatives during Reconstruction Days and he said there were Negroes in there couldn’t read or write their names. He also fought in the War – went in at age sixteen. He said the South went through some terrible times during that period. My father was left several thousand acres of land by his great Aunt Katie McCaskill and was land poor with no slaves to work it. Some families stayed on with us though.

My grandmother’s people –McCaskills – were cattle raisers, had turpentine business and were rice planters. My father grew rice and irrigated the field ____ creek. Cotton was the main crop. My father was a devout Presbyterian and taught us the Catechism and Bible at home. We had family prayers morning and night. My home tasks were attending sheep cattle and farming. I had a pet _____.

(As told to Mac)

(P.S. by Louise) I married Emma Jane Thomas 6 Sept 1897 at her home on a Monday morning. We met at  Pine Tree Presbyterian Church in Kershaw County while she was visiting. She winked at me during a prayer and our courtship began. We lived in or near Bethune, _________, & Clyde before moving to my wife’s homeplace after her mother’s death. By that time we had 3 children (girls) and 3 more were born later - Janie Kate, Bessie, Mac, Louise, Mary, and Faye. 

Charlotte News Article 2-24-1953

THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

Charlotte, North Carolina, Tueday, February 24, 1953  Section Two

ON AUG. 30, 1886

Eyewitness Tells Of Judgment Day On South Carolina’s Coastal Plain

By BILL WILLIAMS
   GASTONIA — Lo, they thought the hour of judgment was upon them.
It was on the night of August 30, 1886, when an earthquake ripped through Charleston, S. C., tearing trenches in the streets and rocking houses back and forth like small ships at sea. The wind sounded like a roaring herd of jet fighters.
   As the earth shook and trees trembled, it had company in the many frightened Negroes and white folk.
   “I remember that night just as well as if it were last night,” said “Col.” A. T. Bethune, a resident of the Berryhill School section in Mecklenburg County.
   “I was down at the barn, helping some of the men with their chores when the first blast of wind warned us of a storm.”
   Colonel Bethune, the son of a man who owned three plantations was only 10 years old at the time of the earthquake, but his vivid recollection of the catastrophe brings gasps of awe from listeners as he relates the happenings of that night.

WIND CAME FIRST

   “We were living about 50 or 60 miles from Charleston," he continued, “and the wind was blowing from that direction. Some of the colored folks were uneasy about it, but dad just told them there was nothing to worry about. That wasn’t enough assurance for them, though, especially after the first tremor set the houses rocking and the trees waving.”

   According to the colonel (he picked up the nickname somewhere), workers fell to their knees and began to pray. Horses began to neigh and mules began to bray. Dogs barked and chickens, in frightened excitement, ran from one part of the yard to the other.
   “All the workers thought that judgment day was upon them”, he went on. 
   “There were quite a few fellows across the creek who wanted to be with everyone else on the farm. They picked up some pine torches, lit them and started toward the farm. I remember one old fellow— his name was Shadrach— told all his children and the other folks around him to kneel down. He was going to pray.
   Well, just about the time he started to kneel down himself, the wind blew hard and the window came open that gave a plain view of the Negroes coming across the creek. Carrying torches they looked exactly like somebody walking across the River Jordan.
   “Well, anyhow, when Shadrach looked up and saw the torches, he shook all over and said: 

   “Ain’t no use to pray now. Here comes the fire.! You’ve never seen a man look so relieved in all your life when he found out that the lights were torches carried by workers.”
   One man, said Colonel Bethune, had the idea that judgment day would come in the morning.
   "When the earth shook once,” Bethune continued, “he shouted out, ‘Lordy, I didn’t know that judgment day was coming at night. I thought it’d be morning.’”
   By next day, the tremors had ceased and the wind had quit blowing. All over the farm, however, branches and leaves from trees, shredded by the violent force of the wind, had piled up in huge mounds.
   “My dad wanted to clean up the mess as soon as possible,” the colonel went on. “He sent a man by the name of Daniel Jackson over to one of the rice fields to get some hoes and rakes. Well, you know how some of these roots and gum, and stuff catches on fire and smokes — sometimes months at a time.
   When Jackson got over there and saw the fields smoking like they were on fire, he high-tailed it back to the house, leaving the hoes and rakes behind. He came running up to my dad and said: “Boss, we don’t need any hoes. It’s judgment day already.’
   Colonel Bethune, now an employee of the Carter Traveler Company in Gastonia, said his father once owned three plantations.
   “He never wanted to make money, though,” the watchman at Carter’s went on.
   "When he made money, he invested it in other things. When he sold something, he practically gave it away. For instance, he once sold 1,400 acres of land of $1,100. I bought 600 acres from him once for $600”

PEOPLE LIKED NAME
   It was because of the elder Mr. Bethune’s generosity that the name of Lynchwood, S. C., was changed to Bethune. His philanthropy made the people of that little town see fit to change its name to honor Mr. Bethune.
  Colonel Bethune is married to the former Eva Ross of Blacksburg, S. C. He is 76 years old.

 
Note: Allen Thomas "Colonel" Bethune's father was Daniel Murdock Bethune.

Emma Bethune 1938 Letter to Mary Hucks

Tuesday night -

My Dear Mary,

     Better late than never. I sure did enjoy your letter. I was beginning to think you had such a bum time at home you didn't want to write. I know though you had quite a lot to do. I sure have missed you all. I was thinking today how nice it would be here in the yard for the children. It was just like a spring day. Daddy was working in the garden getting his garden peas in. That last cold one had killed the tender greens down to the ground, but I went this morning and plundered over the patch got enough for dinner that has come out since the cold. I wrote Faye last week that I had been sick so Saturday morning I went to town to see Dr. Beasly. He changed my medicine and I feel lots better. When I left that morning Dan told me not to come back, that he was coming down that afternoon, so he did and we stayed with Louise until Sunday afternoon and they brought us home. The first time he and I have both left home in a long time. had quite a nice time. Louise was wondering if you got the package she sent to Howdy. ____ McCutcheon gave her a shower not long ago and she sure did get some nice things. _____ called her to come over there and she didn't know anything about it until they all come in. Janie Kate and I didn't get there but Janie K. gave her a darling dress and under skirt the next time she went down. oh yea Fagan gave her a beautiful rocking chair without any handles. Well I changed my woman again yesterday and was I ____ last night. I had a woman to come and help but we cleaned my room dining room kitchen and back porch, lay down on the couch after supper to read and went to sleep about 8 oclock and slept until eleven then Dan said he reckon we had better go to bed. of course he was reading all that time. I went with Janie Kate and Sister to a missionary meeting at cousin ______(Baxters?) this afternoon. Cousin Johnny is quite feeable and his mind is nearly gone. they are living right by themselves. Is it _______ to get old and have to live by yourself. Tell "Trish" Papa has sold the little calf. R.C. is feeding the cow for half of the milk as his cow is dry. Got a card from Faye today saying she wanted to go to your house sunday night but ____ had a date. if you don't mind call her up and let her know I am feeling lots better. Tell Trish and Howdy to hurry and come back to see me for I sure am lonesome. write as often as you can. Love and kisses for the children. mama.

Emma Jane Thomas Bethune Life Story

I, Emma Jane (Thomas) Bethune was born 24 Oct. 1872 at Thomas' Cross Roads in Darlington County, S.C. My father, David Hamilton Thomas was born 11 Sept. 1820 in Darlington Co. S.C. and died 9 Feb. 1897 at Thomas' Cross Roads. My mother, Jane Elizabeth Reaves, was born 9 Nov. 1835 in Darlington Co. S.C. and died 11 Feb. 1904 at Thomas' Cross Roads.

My father and mother were married 15 Mar. 1866, but they had both been married before and each had a child. My father had a daughter, Mary Thomas, who was then 7 years old and my mother had a son, John Ervin McLure age 5 years. After they had been married several years they would jokingly say - "My child, your child, and our children." They had 3 children. My brother Hamilton Thornwell was born 21 Feb. 1867 and died 23 Nov. 1910. My sister Lula was born 15 Oct. 1868 and died 11 months later. We were a devoted family, not feeling that we were step brothers and sisters.

My father was a big landowner and farmer as his father before him, however after the war between the States he had only land as his slaves had been freed, for whom he had paid high prices for years before. Sherman's troops came through and camped a short distance from our home and they took all the stock, food of every kind - in fact they left the home unburned because my stepsister, Mary, was at home alone with a  mammy and the mammy got her to beg the officer in charge to spare her home. They had a struggle in the years following the war, but kept their land which had been in their families since granted to them by King of England.

I went to a one teacher school and when in my teens I would help the teacher.  One of my last ones was Katie McKinnion,who later married A.Mortimer McNair, who later became a prominent business man in Hartsville, S.C. In Sept. 1891, I went to Greenville Female College for women at Greenville, S.C.  I did not go back the following year, as my grandmother Reaves, who lived with us, was ill and died 20 Oct. 1892.

On 6 Sept. 1897, I married Daniel Malcolm Bethune from Kershaw Co. S.C. at Pine Tree Presbyterian Church. I winked at him during a prayer and met him after the service. We were married later and lived over there. When my mother died in 1904 we had three daughters -- Janie Kate, Bessie, and Mac. I fell heir to my mother's home, so we moved there to live in Darlington County where three more daughters were born --Louise, Mary and Faye.

My father was a very religious man and was a devoted member of Mt. Elon Baptist Church. My mother was a Presbyterian and they would go to her church one Sunday and to his the next. I joined the Baptist Church, but in Jan. 1915, my husband joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), so May 21, 1917 four of my daughters and I were baptized and confirmed members of the same church.

In July 1919 we moved to Hartsville for better schools and lived there until January 1930 and we moved back to our home at Thomas' Cross Roads. Five of my daughters were married there and I had four grandchildren. At different times all the children lived with us for a while and then we were finally left alone as the sixth daughter had married.

20 June 1940, my husband died with cancer of the stomach. He was diagnosed at Duke Hospital in N.C. but died at home. How lonely I was and how I missed him. Our path hadn't been smooth all the time, but we had so much to be thankful for. In about a year, I went to Hartsville to live with my daughter, Louise. I started to going to church meetings regularly, especially to Sunday School and Relief Society and I enjoyed them and by studying learned more about the Gospel. I have and have had for long time faith in ordinance of healing by the Priesthood, as I have seen the Power manifested a number of time.

P.S. (By Louise)
My mother visited each child regularly and especially when needed to help out. She was at home in any kitchen. She died 3 Nov. 1953 in Hartsville with cancer of bone. She suffered greatly and was sick about six months.

Bethune Family Photos Misc

Bethune Sisters Photos

Emma Jane Thomas Bethune Photos

Daniel Malcolm Bethune Photos

 
 

Patricia Sheranian Christmas 2009 note

I was born in the same Thomas Home that had been my grandmother’s childhood home where my aunts and my mother were born also.

My Great Aunt May never married. I remember her and her stories of the Civil War. She would let me sleep in her bed once in a while. It was very high and she was very small not much taller than I was as a child, we both needed steps to get into the bed which was made of feathers. It was wonderfully soft and deep. She was precious in frills and lace.

Great Aunt May’s house was about a long city block from my grandparents home, the Thomas Home. After Papa married Emma Jane he eventually bought the Thomas Home and the land but it was always called the Thomas Home and Thomas Cross Roads is still there. I walked on that intersection 11 years ago when I was in SC to visit my cousins. My grandfather (Papa) died when I was 7 and a half. I remember so well walking from the funeral at my grand parent’s home to my Aunt Janie Kate’s house with my cousin Jack Cagle who was 2 years older. It was June 1940 and the road was hot and dusty. It is now paved and though not a busy road it is on the maps. The Thomas Home burned down in the late 1970’s. Great Aunt May’s home was left to Janie Kate and she left it to her son, Richard C. Grant, his children and grandchildren live there today.

The Bethune sisters all married.
Janie Kate Bethune Grant had one son
Emma Malcolm “Mac” Bethune Fagan had a daughter and a son.
Margaret Elizabeth “Bessie” Bethune Cagle had two sons
Sally Louise Bethune Cobb had one daughter
Mary Lucille Bethune Hucks had one daughter and two sons
Thornwell Faye Bethune Crossley had one son and three daughters

We spent most holidays together at our grandparent’s home as children and teens. We spent summers with aunts, uncles, cousins, parents and grandparents often at the Atlantic Ocean or at The Lake in Hartsville. After our grandfather Daniel Malcolm Bethune ‘Papa” died we continued to spend weekends, holidays and any time we could together with our grandmother Emma Jane who lived many years and until her death with her daughter Louise and her family in Hartsville.

When Papa was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Lattergiay Saints it was early in the year 1917 in January. He was baptized in the Clyde Pond. Soon after, five of his daughters were baptized and eventually his wife Emma Jane Thomas Bethune was baptized also.

His daughter, Janie Kate, died not having been baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but that has now been done. Kent Vorkink my son is doing some research on past relatives so the families can be sealed together in the Temples of the Lord.
After my family moved to Utah in 1947 it became more difficult to be with our loved ones in the South but we took buses, trains and planes to visit with relatives in the South until Emma Jane, my grandmother, died at 83 years of age. I was 21 years old. We still continued to go South as often as possible but my heart will ever be there.

My youth was made up of many family “memorable memories” and “traditions” for which I will ever be grateful and thankful.

May Christ bless you and your family and may your Christmas be filled with “memorable memories” and may you cherish each and every one!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night
I wish I was with you to squeeze you tight

Love
Patricia Hucks Vorkink Sheranian
2009 

Margaret Elizabeth (Bessie) Bethune Cagle "Life Account"

“Once upon a time, Man meets Lady at a church meeting (out from the little town of Bethune SC) His name was Daniel Malcolm Bethune and he lived in the Bethune Plantation which town was named for Daniel’s father whose name was Daniel Murdock Bethune. The lady’s name was Emma Jane Thomas who lived in Darlington County which was joining counties with Kershaw City where the Bethune’s lived.

Emma Jane lived about ten miles from the Bethune Plantation at a “crossroad section” in Darlington County. The Thomas Home was at “Thomas Cross Roads.” Four roads divided there, one went to Hartsville SC about ten miles South East and one to North West to Bethune SC the same distance the other way, the other road went one way to Bishopville SC, South and the other way North to McBee SC which later became the Post Office for that community. The old “Stage Coach Road” passed in front of the Thomas Home and came from Camden SC to Society Hill, SC. This was the home of the Lady. Emma Jane Thomas was the youngest of four children. One whole brother, Thornwell Thomas and one half brother Erwin, we called him Uncle Doctor McLure and one half sister Mary Elizabeth Amanda Thomas and that was our Aunt May.

Emma Jane Thomas and Daniel Malcolm Bethune were married on Sept 7, 1897 in the Thomas Home in the living room standing in the bay window on Monday morning. Emma Jane’s mothers name was Jane Elizabeth Reeves from Darlington County. Her father was John Hamilton Thomas. They had a large plantation in Darlington County.

Emma Jane’s mother was married to McLure first time. They had the one son Erwin, uncle Doctor McLure. He grew up and practiced medicine in that area. Emma Jane’s father married Shields first time. They had one daughter Mary Elizabeth Amanda our Aunt May.

Daniel Malcolm Bethune was the oldest child of Catherine Margaret McCaskill and Daniel Murdock Bethune. His four sisters were Sally, Mary, Margaret Elizabeth and Catherine (Kate) the youngest one and one brother Allen. All of theses families were dear to me. There were our aunts and uncles and their children, our first cousins.

Daniel and Emma had a daughter born August 23, 1898 her name was Jane Kate (named for both grandmothers)

Then another daughter Margaret Elizabeth born August 12, 1900 named for both great grandmothers.

Another daughter, the third child, named Emma Malcolm for her mother and father nicknamed “Mac” who was born October 7, 1901 the only blue eyed daughter. We the three oldest daughters were born in different places, Janie Kate arrived at the Thomas Home at Thomas Cross Roads. Margaret Elizabeth arrived at Clyde Section of Darlington County a small community, one store where Papa was bookkeeper for Mr. A. M. Mc Nair. The Mc Nair’s lived across the road from where Margaret Elizabeth was born, her oldest sister, Janie Kate played with the little McNair girl. Her name was Bessie; this is how I, Margaret Elizabeth, got my nickname Bessie which I never liked. The other daughter, Emma Malcolm arrived in Bethune SC.

Then Sally Louise was born at Thomas Cross Roads in the Thomas’ new home (our mother’s home when she was 12 or 13 years old.) I can remember her arrival. We three children were taken by Papa to stay at Aunt May’s home, then when we came back home our little sister named Sally Louise was there. We laughed and were so happy to have another baby sister, Her birthday March 7. 1905, she was named for Papa’s sister our Aunt Sally McCaskill.

Then on July 7, 1908 another daughter arrived named Mary Lucille named for Papa’s sister our Aunt Mary Yarbough. I was so glad I could “look after’ her as I was soon to be eight years old. She was lots of fun to play with when Mama would let me.

Then on September 1, 1911 another brown eyed daughter was born. I was old enough to “look after” Thornwell Faye, named for Mama’s brother. These three last to be born all were born in the Thomas Home where our mother lived from 13 years old until she was married September 7, 1 897.

This was a lovely two story home with big oak trees surrounding the home and a big magnolia tree on the left side of the house. We girls had swings in the oak trees and climbed the magnolia. I got to the bottom limb and I kept watch over the younger girls that I was afraid they would fall and get hurt. On the right side of the yard was a very deep well and a building called “the well house.” We were not allowed to play around the well. We had a happy home life. We all went to school to a graded school which was not far from our home. This was called Clyde School as we little girls were old enough we went to school there except Thornwell Faye, she was the baby and didn’t want to grow up, so she never went to the school there.

On rainy mornings Papa never let us walk to school, he got the scurry or buggy out and “hitched” the horse to it and would come back for us in the afternoon if it was still raining. When summer came Mama was real busy sewing our summer clothes and we got new hair ribbons and sashes to wear on our new Sunday dresses.

We always went to Bethune to visit our cousins and aunts and uncles in summer. We had ten or twelve first cousins we’d visit. Something new for us to go up town in Bethune as our home was in the country. Sometimes our “city” cousins came to visit us. They enjoyed our fruit orchards. We had all kinds of fruits and a big garden that Papa worked every summer so we had such good vegetables and Aunt May had a big cherry orchard which she let us climb up the trees to eat cherries.

Our oldest sister Janie Kate lived with Aunt May at Thomas Cross Roads which wasn’t very far from the home where the five of us lived with Mama and Papa. Aunt May loved Janie Kate “like her very own”. She had more clothes etc than we had but I’m glad I lived in the home with Mama and Papa. Aunt May was so good to all of the other five children when Mama would let us go down to Aunt May’s house. She had games for us to play. She had a gentle horse named Nellie that we could ride. Some of us would fall off but never really got hurt and a dog named Chester. Papa had a big black horse his name was “Kid” which I was afraid of but Mac loved for Papa to let her drive Kid to the buggy to go to church it was the Union Church not to far from where we lived. Aunt May always had ole “Sam Turley” get Nellie hitched to the buggy for her to go to Town Branch Church. She took Janie Kate and sometimes one of the five of us to go too.” 

Bethune Ancestors Private Posts

I've created a second Bethune Ancestors blog called Bethune Ancestors Private Posts where posts that deal with religious and other personal matters will be housed. Access is limited to a list of approved viewers and I ask that any materials found on that site not be copied or distributed without permission.

These are the posts currently on Bethune Ancestors Private Posts:
1) Emma Jane Thomas Bethune Patriarchal Blessing
2) Mary Lucile Bethune Hucks Patriarchal Blessing
3) Daniel Malcolm Bethune Testimony - Liahona 1916
4) Daniel M. Bethune Story - Liahona 1941

Bethune, South Carolina

Images and information about Bethune, South Carolina.

From the Kershaw County Historical Society's website:

                                                                       Big Springs

Main Street 1907

From the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce website:

Europeans came to the Bethune area in the early 1800s, and at that time the Kadapaw Indians inhabited the area.  Bethune was originally known as Lynchwood when a post office was established there in 1828. 

When the railroad came to this area, it crossed property belonging to Daniel Murdock Bethune.  When the charter for the town was issued in 1900, the town's name was changed from Lynchwood to Bethune in honor of Daniel M. Bethune.  Mr. Bethune was one of the pioneer men of the Bethune area, which was predominately of Scottish decent.  Today you can find a Scottish burial ground between Bethune and Cassatt.  Scottish Cemetery, located on US Highway 1 South outside Bethune, has been the final resting place for local citizens since the late 1700s.  The history of surrounding communities is reflected in the names etched on the faces of the soapstone headstones. 

On high ground surrounded by the waters of Lynches River and Little Lynches River, Bethune is a quiet town where turn-of-the-century Southern charm reigns supreme.  Train tracks run beside Bethune Town Hall as a reminder of the rail's importance to this stop on the Seaboard Railroad.  Residents are carefully restoring historic homes to preserve the town's Mayberry-like character.  The bridge on Highway 1, north of Bethune, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only bridge spanning the same river three times.

Bethune was awarded the Governor's Rural Economic Achievement Trophy, and thus became the smallest of participating cities and towns in South Carolina to qualify as a "GREAT" town. "The People of Bethune" is more than just a phrase. It is four words that describe the dedication and drive of a community on the move.  Bethune is everybody's idea of a small town.  A wide main street, good schools, a good library, excellent medical facilities, beautiful homes and friendly people are found in Bethune.

From healing springs, to pottery, to agriculture, this Kershaw County town is proud of its heritage.  

1938 Bethune Reunion

1938
Mrs. E.Z. Truesdale
Mrs. J.W. Bethune, 1331 Calhoun, Columbia, S.C.
Mrs. D. T. Yarbrough
D.T. Yarbrough
Mrs. A Fletcher __________ ( Elsie Tiller, granddaughter of Eliza McLaurin and Ervin Tiller)
C.S. Floyd
R.E. McCaskill
T.R. Morse
M. G. King
A.B. McNaull      Columbia, S.C.
Neil E. Truesdell
Mrs. C D Terry (Esther) McCaskill    Gritman, Ga.
Mrs. J.A. McCaskill (Sallie Bethune) Bethune, S.C.
Mark King    Neeses S.C.
Mrs. Mark King (Ola Bethune) Neeses S.C.
Robert King  Neeses S.C.
Mark King Jr.  Neeses S.C.
Mr. & Mrs. D.M. Mays
Mrs. L.A. McDowell    Tampa Fla.
Caroline McDowell       Tampa Fla.
Mrs. C.S. Floyd
John Bethune
Frances Bethune
Mary        "
Jean          "
Johnsie      "
Carolyn     "
Mrs. Frank R. Morse
Carrie Yarbrough
Stella Bethune
Mrs. R.E. Bethune (Julia McCheney)
Mrs. M.G. King (Mac McCaskill)
Mrs. Margaret Marion (Margaret Yarbrough)
Robbie Newton Yarbrough
Mary McNaull Brown (Mrs. E.G.)
Mrs. A M McNaull (Kate Bethune)
Florrie Bethune King       Hartsville, S.C.
Mrs. Neil Truesdell
Mrs. Howard Hucks (Mary Bethune) Fayetteville, N.C.
Margaret Jane Fagan   Hartsville, S.C.
Mrs. B.L. Cobb (Louise Bethune)  Hartsville, S.C.
Mr. & Mrs. D. M. Bethune    McBee  S.C.
Mary Norwood                     McBee  S.C.
Beth Norwood                          "          "
Mary Ellen McLaurin             Bethune, S.C.
Cecilia L. King                      Bethune, S.C.
Rob Bethune                         Cheraw   S.C.
Sue Anderson Bethune             "             "
Susanne Bethune                      "            "
Bobby Bethune                        "            "
J.V. Fagan                               Hartsville, S.C.
Malcolm B. Fagan                         "           "
Margaret Jane "                              "          "
Mrs. A. B. McLaurin                Bethune, S.C.
Mary Allen McLaurin                    "           "
John Paul McLaurin                       "          "
M.G. King Jr.                         Spartanburg, S.C.
Mrs. M.G. King Jr.                        "              "
Gene McNaull                        Columbia, S.C.
Fletcher Spigman     (great grandson of Eliza McLaurin and Ervin Tiller)
Bessie Bethune Cagle & Sons    Hamlet, N.C.
(Hugh Bethune & Jackie Cagle)
Janie Kate Bethune Grant
Richard C. Grant Jr.

1937 Bethune Reunion

Aug. 12, 1937
Mr. & Mrs. T. R. M. Bethune
     Susanne Bethune
     Bobby Bethune
Mr. & Mrs. T. R. Bethune
     Tom Bethune Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Crowell Bethune   Bethune, S.C.
     Betsy Ann Bethune              Bethune, S.C.
Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Bethune          Gastonia, N.C.
     Ernest E. Bethune                      "           "
     James Bethune                          "           "
     J. A. Bethune                        Lancaster, S.C.
Mr. & Mrs. J.B. Johnston          Trenton, Tenn
     Elizabeth Johnston                     "           "
     Mary Jan Johnston                    "           "
Mrs. D.T. Yarbrough                Bethune, S.C.
     Carrie Yarbrough                      "          "
     Robbie Newton Marion             "          "
Mrs. Sallie Robertson                Bethune, S.C. - Visitor
Mrs. Sallie C. McCaskill
     Christine McCaskill              Hartsville, S.C.
Mrs. M.G. King                        Bethune, S.C.
Mrs. C. O. Terry                      Gritman, Ga.
Mrs. L.S. King                         Hartsville, S.C.
     Kathryn McCaskill Terry     Gritman, Ga.
Mr. & Mrs. J.P. Bethune          Bethune, S.C.
     Frances Bethune                        
     Mary Bethune
     Jean      "
     Johnsie  "
     Carolyn "
Rose McLeod                         Bethune, S.C.  - Visitor
Doris Lane                                    "          "           "
Rev. Morse                                   "          "           "
Mr. & Mrs. J. N. Cagle           Hamlet, N.C.
     Hugh & Jack Cagle
Mrs. Kate Bethune McNaull
     Mary McNaull Brown
     Allen Eugene McNaull
     A. B. McNaull
Mr. & Mrs. Neil Truesdale      Hartsville, S.C.
     Sarah Isabelle Truesdale
     Althea Lee Truesdale
Mr. & Mrs. R. E. McCaskill   Bethune, S.C.
     Betty Gray McCaskill             "          "
Mr. & Mrs. M.G. Crossley (Faye Bethune)
     "June" Truesdale                 Bethune, S.C.
Mr. & Mrs. J.V. Fagan (Malcolm Bethune)
     Margaret Jane Fagan
     Richard Fagan
Mrs. R.C. Grant (Janie Kate Bethune)
     Richard C. Grant
Mrs. Mary Thomas - Visitor
Mr. & Mrs. D.M. Bethune
Mr. & Mrs. Orrin Parris (Annie Mae Bethune)
Dr. A.C. Bethune & Ron        Raeford, N.C.
              

1936 Bethune Reunion

1936

The second reunion of the Bethune Clan was held Thursday, Aug.6, 1936 with about 90 members and visitors present. The meeting was called to order by the president, D.M. Bethune. Prayer was offered by the Rev. J.T. Keels, pastor of the Bethune Presbyterian Church. After a most interesting talk by the president a history of the Bethune family was read by Neil Truesdale, historian. After the business session a delightful picnic lunch was served.
          Mrs. R.C. Grant, Sec.

Aug. 6, 1936
Mr. + Mrs. T.R.Bethune, Hartsville, S.C.
     Tom Bethune, Jr.
Mr. + Mrs. R.M. Bethune, Cheraw S.C.
     Susanne Bethune
     Bobby Bethune Jr.
Mr. + Mrs. B.L. Cobb (Louise Bethune)
Mr. + Mrs. Crowell Bethune  Cheraw S.C.
     Betsy Ann Bethune               "
Mr. + Mrs. J.P. Bethune   Bethune S.C.
     Frances Bethune
     Mary Bethune
     Jean Bethune
     Johnsie Bethune
     Carolyn Bethune
Mrs. Margaret E. Lee  Monroe N.C. Route 1
Mr. + Mrs. D.M. Bethune
Mrs. Margaret Marion, Bethune
Mrs. L.S. King, Hartsville
Mr. + Mrs. D, T, Yarbrough, Bethune
     Carrie Yarbrough, Bethune
     Robbie Newton _______, Bethune
Mrs. L.J. McDonald, Hartsville, SC
     Neil McDonald
     Isabel McDonald
     Harry McDonald
Christian McCaskill, Hartsville, SC
Mrs. Ola B. King, Neeses
     Mark King Jr  Neeses
     Mark King  Neeses
     Robert B. King, Neeses
Mrs. B.L. Norwood  McBee S.C.
     Beth Norwood        "          "
(Mrs. E.Z.) Kate B. Truesdale  Bethune S.C.
     Margaret                 "               "          "
Mrs. Ernest Barrett    Monroe  N.C.
     Julia Barrett
     Mary Barrett
     Eva Lee Barrett
Mr. + Mrs. Lonnie Baker
     Charlie
     Edwin
     Margaret
Mrs. Eva Morgaon
     Vann Morgan
     Forbis Morgan
Mr. + Mrs. M. G. King
     Billy King
Mr. + Mrs. A. L. Bethune
Mr. + Mrs. J. N. Cagle (Bessie Bethune)
     Hugh Cagle + Jack Cagle
Mrs. J. V. Fagan (Malcolm Bethune)
     Margaret Jane + Richard Fagan
Stella Bethune
E.Z. Truesdale Jr.
Mr. + Mrs. N.E. Truesdale
     Sara Isabelle + Althea Lee Truesdale
Emma Keels        Visitor
J T N Keels         Visitor
Morrison Graham   Visitor
Miss Mary Thomas  Visitor
Mr. + Mrs. J.A. Bethune
Mr. + Mrs. Howard Hucks (Mary Bethune)
     Patricia Hucks
Dorothy Hucks   Visitor
Annabelle Cobb    Visitor
Mrs. J.A. Stone  (Visitor) McBee, SC
Steve Lee, Norfolk Naval Hospital Portsmouth Va.
Mrs. R.C. Grant
     Richard C. Grant, Jr.
M. C. McCaskill  Visitor
Ernest Bearde    Visitor
William Bullock  Visitor

   

1935 Bethune Reunion

1935
On Thursday afternoon August 1, 1935 the Bethune clan met for the first time at Big Springs, near Bethune, S.C. A delightful picnic lunch was served late in the afternoon. After lunch a business session was held, and the following officers were elected:

Pres. --D. M. Bethune, McBee, S.C.
V.Pres.--J. A. Bethune, Lancaster, S.C.
Sec.--Mrs. R.C. Grant, McBee, S.C.
Treas.--Stella Bethune, Bethune, S.C.
Historian--Neil Truesdale, Bethune, S.C.
     "       --Carrie Yarbrough, "         "

It was decided to meet each year on the first Thursday in August at Big Springs and have an all day picnic.
                                         Mrs. R.C. Grant, Sec.

Aug.1, 1935
Mrs. J.B. Johnston (Kate Yarbrough) Trenton, Tenn.
     Elizabeth Johnston                              "          "
     Mary Lou Johnston                            "          "
Mr. + Mrs. A. T. Bethune, Gastonia, N.C.
Mr. + Mrs. Orrin Ray Parris, Gaffney, S.C.
     Eva Anne Parris,                   "          "
Margaret Yarbrough, Hartsville, S.C.
Neil McDonald,              "            "
Mr. + Mrs. John A McCaskill, Bethune, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. Neil Truesdale, Bethune, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. B.L. Cobb, Hartsville, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. L.J. McDonald,  "         "
     Franci McDonald             "         "
     Isabel McDonald             "         "
     Harry McDonald             "         "
Mr. + Mrs. J.V. Fagan, Hartsville, S.C.
     Margaret Jane Fagan,    "           "
     Richard Fagan,              "           "
Mabel Lee, Monroe, N.C.
Kathryne Truesdale, Bethune, S.C.
Mrs. Margaret E. Lee, Monroe, N.C.
     Watt Lee                   "           "
Mr. + Mrs. L.M. Yarbrough, Hartsville, S.C.
     Miriam Yarbrough                   "          "
     Betty Yarbrough                      "          "
Mr. + Mrs. Crowell Bethune, Pageland, S.C.
     Betty Ann Bethune                  "           "
Mr. + Mrs. Jake Bethune, Gastonia, S.C.
Mrs. E.Z. Truesdale, Bethune, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. D.M. Bethune, McBee, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. D.T.Yarbrough, Bethune, S.C.
     Carrie Yarbrough,               "          "
Mrs. Margaret Marion,             "          "
     Robbie Newton "                "          "
Mr. + Mrs. T.R. Bethune, Darlington, S.C.
Mrs. L.S. King, Hartsville, S.C.
Stella Bethune, Bethune, S.C.
J.P. Bethune + family (5), Bethune, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. Howard Hucks, Florence, S.C.
     Patricia Hucks, Florence, S.C.
Mrs. Kate McNaull, Columbia, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. Eugene Brown,  "     "
D.M. McNaull,                    "     "
Eugene McNaull,                 "     "
Mr. + Mrs. John N. Cagle, Hartsville, S.C.
     Hugh Cagle,                       "            "
     Jack Cagle,                        "            "
Mrs. R.C. Grant, McBee, S.C.                   (70)

Neil Bethune Descendants Facebook Group

I've started a Facebook Group called Neil Bethune Descendants so that we can have a central online place to meet distant relatives. No ads, no weather reports, no religious or political statements...merely a place to put a face to a name of someone who shares some of the same DNA you do.

Daniel Malcolm Bethune Direct Bethune Ancestors

Daniel Malcolm Bethune was born December 19, 1868 in Bethune, South Carolina, son of Daniel Murdock Bethune and Esther Catherine McCaskill.  He married Emma Jane Thomas on ________ and they had six daughters. Daniel Malcolm Bethune died on June 20, 1940, age 71.

Daniel Murdock Bethune was born February 20, 1845 in Bethune, South Carolina, son of Daniel Bethune and Christian McCaskill. He married Esther Catherine McCaskill on ________ and they had six children:
.......Daniel Malcolm Bethune
.......Sally Christian Bethune
.......Mary Bethune
.......Margaret Elizabeth Bethune
.......Allen Thomas Bethune
.......Esther Catherine Bethune
After Esther Catherine's death related to giving birth to their last daughter (and who was named after her but went by "Kate") Daniel Murdock married Mary Elizabeth Bradley on ______ and they had three children:
.......Alexander Bethune
.......Robert Murdock Bethune
.......John Paschal Bethune
Daniel Murdock Bethune died on October 12, 1915, age 70.

Daniel Bethune as born on December 19, 1799 in Montgomery County, North Carolina, son of Neil Bethune and _______. He married Christian McCaskill on February 18, 1841 and they had five children:
.......Daniel Murdock Bethune
.......Neil Alexander Bethune
.......Thomas Reese English Bethune
.......Isabelle Bethune
.......Mary Ann Bethune
Daniel Bethune died on February 15, 1883, age 83.

I don't have much information about Neil Bethune. From one document (author and source unknown) we read "NEIL BETHUNE, the first Bethune who came to America of this particular branch or family, came from the Highlands of Scotland in 1797. He was a widower and brought two of the children with him and was to return to Scotland for the others, but never did. He married a Miss Nicalson, settling on Drowning Creek - now Montgomery County -near Clark's Mill, in North Carolina. Neil Bethune was a nephew of John Bethune who settled on the East side of Drowning Creek." Neil Bethune had three children born in North Carolina:
.......Margaret Bethune
.......Daniel Bethune
.......Katie Bethune

Daniel Malcolm Bethune and Emma Jane Thomas - A Focal Point

The focal point for this blog is the descendants and direct ancestors of Daniel Malcolm Bethune and his wife Emma Jane Thomas, "Papa" and "Mama" respectively. On each side of the point there are real people who led and lead real lives. On the descendant side we have more readily available information and we can start with Mama and Papa's six daughters:

Janie Kate Bethune
Margaret Elizabeth Bethune
Emma Malcolm Bethune
Sally Louise Bethune
Mary Lucile Bethune
Thornwell Faye Bethune

However, as the purpose of this blog is primarily "ancestors" we'll leave the compilation of a list of these six sisters' descendants to another publication, one with restricted access. My grandmother Mary Lucile Bethune Hucks is the exception as she is my direct ancestor and I feel a greater responsibility to present some of her life story. I leave it to others to cover the life histories of her sisters, their spouses and descendants.

In a similar vein, much could be detailed about ancestors' siblings and their spouses and descendants, and while they might be mentioned in passing, it is beyond the scope of this blog to cover them in detail. Merely moving back through generations of direct ancestors is a large task as it is, remembering that for each generation back doubles the number of direct ancestors. It is not my intent to cover only those direct ancestors with the Bethune surname.

Mary Lucile Bethune Hucks Vital Records

Mary's (and Patricia) Letter to Emma Jane Thomas Bethune

Jan

Dear mama

We were so sorry to know you Had the flu. Hope You and Papa are well now. I Had the flu too. I Have been out of school a week.

Sunday
Well we wrote for one hour + she was so tired we had to quit. But she didn't want me to finish it + she never did get time. I really am ashamed of myself + its not ____(that?) I haven't thought of you all lot but she was sick + Howard went to Atlanta last Sunday + stayed until Tues night. And of course she hasn't been to school yet - But we did go to Bessie's today. Howard has some work to do so wouldn't go but the children + I went + stayed a few hours. Hugh is still in bed but he looks so well. Bessie was telling me Phil has been sick  I do hope he is all right now.

Please someone write + let us know - + if Faye has gone back. How is Papa? I can't remember hearing of so much sickness. There are so many children out of school. So far Howdy hasn't gotten anything but a cold + cough. Bessie said Carolyn hasn't been out either. Tell them all we are so sorry they have all been sick + do hope they are better now - Can't say when we will be home. soon as possible ___(tho?)  Love to all  Mary

(Note: This was likely written in January 1938.)

Daniel Malcolm Bethune Obituary

Hartsville, June 20—Funeral services for Daniel Malcolm Bethune, 71, will be held at 5 o’clock Friday afternoon at his home in the Clyde community, Interment will follow in the Scotch cemetery at Bethune.

Mr. Bethune, son of the late Daniel Murdock Bethune and Esther Catherine McCaskill Bethune, was born and reared in Bethune, moving to Clyde about 40 years ago. In 1919 they moved to Hartsville, where his family lived for 11 years. He was engaged in farming.

Surviving are his widow, who was Miss Emma Jane Thomas; six daughters, Mrs. R. C. Grant of Clyde, Mrs. J. C. Fagan and Mrs. B. Lfl Cobb, both of Hartsville, Mrs. J. N. Cagle of Hamlet, N. C., Mrs. H. H. Hucks of Fayetteville, N. C., and Mrs. M. G. Crossley of Monroe, Ga.; three sisters, Mrs. Maggie Lee of Monroe, N. C., Mrs. Kate McNaull of Columbia and Mrs. D. T. Yarbrough of Bethune; three brothers, R. M. Bethune of Cheraw, J. P. Bethune and A. T. Bethune of Gastonia, N. C., and nine grandchildren.

Rites will be conducted by Loyal T. Hansen of Preston, Idaho, elder of the Church of Jesus Christ, of which he was a member.

Patricia's Memories of Her Mother, Mary Lucile Bethune Hucks

May 9, 1982 Several weeks ago, while lying in the hospital, I was impressed to make a few notes about my mother. With Mother’s Day near, my mind again returned to some of my feelings and thoughts of the past.

Some of the things I remember about Mary Bethune Hucks, my mother:

Early spring was flower planting time in the Carolinas, and months before mother would carefully arrange her closets so she could fit the many pots of bulbs, iris, daffodil, tulip, lily and hyacinth. Over the years she continued this practice and by early spring we had bunches of flowers around our home. Perhaps that’s where I first came to love living plants and flowers.

My Grandmother Bethune, referred to as Emma, Mama or Granny, must have been a very fancy lady indeed. She passed along to her six daughters a desire to fuss up, be fancy, and keep clean, and to surround themselves with beautiful flowers. As a child I remember taking part each year in an event that started many years before my birth called “spring cleaning.” This ritual began each year around April or May .

It has never been my thing to clean, clean, clean, but not because I didn’t know how it was done. First mother would have us take the curtains down. This was just the beginning. Curtains were then washed by hand, starched, and stretched on a six-foot square frame, which was covered all the way around with small nails for stretching the fabric. This gadget, holding five or six curtains, was then placed outside in the sun to dry. Mother seemed to truly enjoy this part. I don’t remember any threatening words to us children....we just did it like it might be fun. With this under way, mother would really go into high gear. Because the furnaces of the day burned coal or oil the walls inside the house were covered with a fine layer of soot. Although daddy was a builder and painter, it cost too much to paint each room so we scrubbed the walls. Now, Spic ‘n Span and such items were not on the scene so we used a substance of the consistency of playdough. Rolling this into a ball, then gripping it into our fists, up the wall we went and down all the way around the room. This bit of insanity took about two weeks and some threats were made before it was finished. However, mother went around singing and happy. You see, she never wanted to be anything except a housewife. In between moving the family to Salt Lake City and finding a job, she continued the ritual of cleaning. New shelf paper in the cupboards and chests of drawers, winter clothing hung out to air, then packed away in large trunks, summer clothing unpacked and hung out to air, rugs taken out to be washed or sunned, sofa cushions also had to have an airing and in some cases the whole sofa and a chair or two got a new look with a slipcovering. You know, new fabric slipped over the old. Lest anyone think I have lost interest in this adventure, let me add that this turned out to be fun compared to the business with the floors. First the hardwood floors were stripped of old wax. I would have stopped there, and new wax was applied. Then we polished and polished and polished. Mother loved her shiny floors. We loved sliding the dog up and down the slick shiny hallway. The dog loved getting away from all this shiny nonsense. Daddy loved it when it was all over. This mostly took place in Fayetteville. But we had hardwood floors in Salt Lake City also. Now the windows inside and out. With the last coat of furniture polish and silver polish, we wrapped this scene and looked forward to summer. I remember, when we were young mother made sure we had a week or two at Granny’s or one of our aunt’s homes and we always had several weeks at the beach. I recall that my childhood was a sweet blend of aunts, uncles, cousins, family, swimming, lost loves, growing pains and wonderful times, knowing, of course, that mother was the center of my world. She taught me to set a proper table, to enjoy fine china and crystal and an eye for good furniture. She also taught me to endure to the end, about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that a testimony was my own responsibility. In the middle of this learning experience we had dozens of picnics and slumber parties with more friends than the house could really hold and if that weren’t enough, she put up with my wonderful dramatics, both on the stage and off and that in itself took a bit of supermothering.

As a young lady, mother liked lace collars and frilly thins Growing up, I preferred straighter lines with less frills, so she went along with that, never overshadowing my creativity. I think how I must have made her crazy, changing clothes four and five times a day and my zany carryings on, because at heart, she was somewhat shy and insecure and though she loved the spotlight, she wanted it for the right reasons, not because of some dumb thing I had done.

During the Second World War mother rented our somewhat formal dining room to a young couple in need of lodging. In North Carolina the Army was everywhere, even in our house. So the dining room table became part of the living room and French doors were placed between the two rooms. Then under the chandelier was a bed, instead of the table. My room was also rented out and I moved in with Howdy and Danny. Nine of us shared the bathroom. It never occurred to me that this was unusual. That could be because I took all the time I needed while I was in there. I’ll never know how mother made it work but she did.

By August we were looking forward to one last fling to the beach or to Hartsville. Several summers mother had bathing suits made for she and I. We picked out the fabric and style and wore twin suits. I am sure we thought ourselves to be very fetching to the eye. Such class could not go unnoticed.

Saturdays always meant a movie. Somehow she had money for me to go and be with friends so that I never felt that we were truly scrimping. Once in awhile I had to take Howdy with me, he was so cute and shy. My girlfriends filled him with junk food, they adored the way he would hide and say, “Thank you, ma’am.” And some years later, we took Danny along when we went to play. Danny was real blond and round and cute. I can’t believe how quiet and shy they both were. My, how times change. And always when we arrived home mother would have hot homemade bread, homemade jam and other goodies for us. Coming home was always fun.

Other things you might not know. She cried with us when our cats and dogs died. She also cleaned up after them and fed them. I was always dragging home stray things and people, and she was real good about the inconvenience it caused. We had lots of inconveniences in those days, a summer never went by that I didn’t get poison oak or poison ivy or poison sumac or some other kind of skin poison. Mother was wonderful about spending hours rubbing alcohol all over me. When I tell you she spent hours it’s true. I had so much of that stuff that for years I have been immune to any poisons, oak or ivy or whatever.

Because of the work hours she was forced into taking mother could not go to many functions for school but she saw that I had part in plays and in other activities. Over the years she must have ridden about a million miles on a bus to and from work, to and from the market, to and from the doctor, to and from shopping and to and from wherever she went. I only remember seeing her drive a car once or twice many years ago, and after we moved to Salt Lake we didn’t have a car until Howd was old enough to drive. I marvel at her energy. After a full day’s work she still had the washing and ironing to do. And to you who have forgotten or never knew, washing meant three tubs of water for rinsing and a hand-wringer washing machine and lots of endurance.

Well she taught me good things and she taught me charm, because she has both. At times now she has quite a sense of humor, still a bit feisty and only slightly removed from the “heroine” of Gone With the Wind. Granny would be proud, very proud of her six “Southern belles.” Each a mother and homemaker, each respecting her Lord and God. Each with a knowledge of her own worth. Each having walked in her mother’s footsteps. Each with a love for her mother. And I, like them, share these feelings. A legacy given to me by my mother and hopefully honored and passed on to my children.

So I think of my mother these few days before Mother’s Day and my thoughts are of love for her. Of honor for the fight she has fought and won. Of the many successes she has had, oh, not the kind that make front-page history…just the kind that will make Heavenly Mother pleased with her, the kind that will make Heavenly Father grant her the highest glory. We know we are all given the promise of becoming gods and goddesses and surely she is a true heir to this promise.

So this, then, is my gift to a great lady.

When we come to an understanding of who we are, then can we love ourselves and truly love the Lord. And then we can love others. Not just love them, but love them unconditionally, the way the Father loves us. The way we are, just the way we are, just children trying to do better, trying to stay with the plan, trying to be fair, trying to be kind, and trying to be more Christ-like.

Thank you, mother……. have a lovely day........forever.