Emma Lou Bethea, was born on June 19, 1935 to the late Samuel and Mary Addie Monroe Bethea in Dillon, South Carolina. She departed this life on July 08,2007 after a brief illness. Emma Lou was born and raised in Dillon, S.C. she was employed by the Dillon County Public School System ( South Elementary ) for 27 years before she retired in 2000. She was a faithful member of Bowling Green United Methodist Church under the leadership of Reverend Ronald McCall. Emma Lou was a member of the kitchen committee and was a member of the senior choir until her health began to fail. Emma Lou was preceded in death by three daughters: Ellander Wilson, Bobbie Ann Bethea, and Rosa Bethea. A brother George Bethea and three sisters: Kaiden Bethea, Mary Page, and Doretha Palmer. Emma Lou was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and aunt. She was always known for being surrounded by children, if not her own, grandchildren, nieces, or children from the neighborhood. Emma Lou was the proud mother of thirteen children. She leaves to cherish fond memories: one loving and devoted sister Lula Jane Bethea of Dillon, S.C. One step brother James Willie (Geraldine) Adams. Two daughters: Betty Doris Douglas of Columbia, S.C. Mary (Jake) Lewis of Summerville, S.C. eight sons: Samuel Bethea and Rodney Bethea both of Charleston, S.C. Franklin (gerline)Bethea of shalotte, N.C., Martin (Shelia)of fredericksburg, VA, Robert Bethea, Ronald Bethea, and Spencer fulwood, all of Columbia, S.C. in addition she leaves to cherish fond memories: a special granddaughter kimmy (Ernest)Perry of Dillon, S.C., five loving grandchildren of the home: akia, jameson, Andre, bria, and Diamond. Additional twenty-three grandchildren. A special great granddaughter niiya Bethea of Dillon, S.C., additional fourteen great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren. Two aunts: Odessa Monroe and Deloris Burrell of Dillon, S.C. Seven nephews, two nieces, and a host of other relatives and special friends rethea McNeil and louvenia Page.