Mr. Donald Bethea DDS, MS's Obituary
Donald Bethea, DDS, MS, age 84, of Gallatin, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, August 21, 2017. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edith and Joseph Bethea; one daughter, Carolyn Suzette Bethea; and three sisters, Lora Savage, Annette, Rockwell, Evelyn Leseur. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Rebecca; two sons, Dr. Donald A. Bethea (Krista), Tederick Ross Bethea (Alescia); one daughter, Beth Anne Bethea; one brother, Douglas Bethea (Robbie); two sisters, Doris Bethea, Edith Allen; one sister-in-law, Helen Johnson; three grandchildren, Jeremy Bethea, Savannah Wright, Spencer Wright, and a host of friends and extended family members.
In 1933, Donald was born in Brewton, Alabama and attended Vigor High School where he was involved in athletics. Donald and Rebecca met while attending Southern Missionary College in Collegedale, Tennessee in the early 1950’s, and they were married on August 28, 1955, at the Nashville First Seventh-day Adventist Church. After marrying the love of his life and graduating with a degree in Chemistry, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he worked as a chemist for the Coca-Cola Company. Later he worked at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Alabama for a number of years testing metals for aircraft. Donald graduated from the University of Tennessee at Memphis College of Dentistry in 1965. After completing his residency and specializing in Pediatric Dentistry, he began his private practice in Madison, Tennessee in 1967 and retired in 2015. In addition to his longstanding professional practice, he enjoyed multiple other activities, including golf, fishing, gardening, and farming. He was also a dedicated Christian, and during his time in middle Tennessee he attended Nashville First Seventh-day Adventist Church, was a member at Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church, and in 1981 was a charter member of the Hendersonville Seventh-day Adventist Church where he had continued to be actively involved. He loved and was devoted to God, his family, friends, and profession.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alive Hospice Nashville or Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, Growing to New Heights Campaign. Donations may also be designated in his memory and sent to Hendersonville Seventh-day Adventist Church (P.O. Box 480, Hendersonville, TN 37077).
Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, August 25, 2017 from 10 am until 12:00 pm, at which time the Funeral Ceremony will be conducted at the Chapel at Spring Hill Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Historic Spring Hill Cemetery.
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