DOVER - Francis A. Bethel, Jr. joined the Lord and his beloved wife, Edith, who were married for 57 years. Our father came to Dover AFB in 1952 and then worked 18 months as a Civil Service Loadmaster. He worked 25 years and retired from the DuPont Company's Chestnut Run plant in Wilmington. Next he worked for the Peninsula Delaware Conference for thirteen years.
He leaves to cherish his memory: His children, Shereatha (Tyrone) Baines of Durham, N.C., Gwenevere Bethel Griffin, and Francis Bethel, III (Debbie) from Dover; his brother, Wallace Heron (Audrey) Pitts) of Charlotte, N.C.; grandchildren, Tyrone Baines, II (Courtney) of Alpharetta, Ga., Tonita (Darrell) Brooks of Smyrna, Ga., David Griffin, Renee Griffin, and Deandra Hilts of Dover; sister-in-law, Frances Crawford of Dover; five great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his Union Baptist Church family.
A viewing will be held May 17, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bennie Smith Funeral Home in Dover. The Celebration of Life Service is May 18, 2018 at 11 a.m. and a viewing from 9 to 11 a.m. at Union Baptist Church, Dover.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to Union Baptist Church which he joined in 1952. The church address is 883 Lincoln Drive, Dover, DE 19904.
Professional services entrusted to Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.