Obituary for Hattie James Bethea
Hattie James Bethea was born to Neicy Keith James and Lewis James in Currie, North Carolina on April 9, 1925. Hattie was preceded in death by her husband, the late John H. Bethea, her son, Harvey Morrison, one brother, Guy Keith, and four sisters, Lee Rosie James, Alice James Lewis. Luette James, and Hannah Jane James Williams.
When Hattie was six years old, her mother passed away, and she was raised primarily by her older siblings.
Hattie Bethea lived through world wars and depression. She was a nurse’s aide, providing care for the sick and elderly. During World War II, she made uniforms for the American soldiers.
Hattie loved to sing. She sang in her high school chorus, and sang in choirs throughout her life, including the Senior Choir at her church in New Jersey and the Senior Choir and Women’s Day Choir at Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church.
Hattie Bethea was one of a kind. Long before it was popular, she was a strong independent woman. She had her own home at a young age and learned to invest for the future. She started driving in 1941 at the age of 16. On her own, Hattie determined that she should stop driving at the age of 95.
Those who knew Hattie Bethea were aware that she spoke her mind. She followed politics and never missed an opportunity to vote. She followed every emerging news story. Hattie cared about her country and the world.
But more importantly, Hattie Bethea loved her God. She was faithful. She read her Bible every day. She was always determined to attend church service, even when she felt poorly. She prayed for everybody every day.
Hattie Bethea has earned her crown and is now in the bosom of Jesus. She will continue to live in the hearts of those who cherish her memory, including her granddaughter, Shawnette Battle, her brother, Cowan Thomas James of Newark, Delaware, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, and many friends.
When Hattie was six years old, her mother passed away, and she was raised primarily by her older siblings.
Hattie Bethea lived through world wars and depression. She was a nurse’s aide, providing care for the sick and elderly. During World War II, she made uniforms for the American soldiers.
Hattie loved to sing. She sang in her high school chorus, and sang in choirs throughout her life, including the Senior Choir at her church in New Jersey and the Senior Choir and Women’s Day Choir at Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church.
Hattie Bethea was one of a kind. Long before it was popular, she was a strong independent woman. She had her own home at a young age and learned to invest for the future. She started driving in 1941 at the age of 16. On her own, Hattie determined that she should stop driving at the age of 95.
Those who knew Hattie Bethea were aware that she spoke her mind. She followed politics and never missed an opportunity to vote. She followed every emerging news story. Hattie cared about her country and the world.
But more importantly, Hattie Bethea loved her God. She was faithful. She read her Bible every day. She was always determined to attend church service, even when she felt poorly. She prayed for everybody every day.
Hattie Bethea has earned her crown and is now in the bosom of Jesus. She will continue to live in the hearts of those who cherish her memory, including her granddaughter, Shawnette Battle, her brother, Cowan Thomas James of Newark, Delaware, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, and many friends.