Sara Marvin Bethune

Sara, 96, passed away on March 3, 2013 in Charlotte, N.C. The third of four children, she was born Sara Kathleen Marvin in Hendersonville, S.C. on August 1, 1916 to the late Charles and Josephine Marvin. She graduated from Lander College in 1937 with a BA in English. After working for several years in Danville, Virginia as a laboratory technician, she took courses at Wake Forest College, Greensboro Women’s College, and Emory University in order to become certified. From 1942-1947, she worked as a certified laboratory technician at Charlotte Memorial Hospital.

In 1946 Sara was married to Bill Bethune, “Mr. Southern Bell” for Jefferson Standard Life Insurance, to whom she was happily married until his death in 1989.

An active member of Avondale Presbyterian Church since 1950, Sara participated in the Women of the Church, Flower Committee, and the Nursery. In 1980, Sara received an Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women, PCUSA, to reward her years of service to Avondale. She taught the two and three year old Sunday school for many years. Always delighted by the birth of a baby, she knitted booties for all the newborns in the Church for over 20 years, producing over 200 pairs of booties.

Sara enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, crafts, gardening, traveling with the Fourth Thursday Avondalers, and spending time with family and friends. She volunteered in the admissions office at Presbyterian Hospital for over 31 years, until age 92. She wanted to be remembered for her love for her family, friends, and Church.

Sara is survived by her children, Marvin Bethune and his wife Pattie, William Bethune and his wife Mary Lou, Douglas Bethune and his wife Karen, and Susan Bennett and her husband Michael, and by her grandchildren, John Bethune and his wife Keri, Laura Bethune, James Bethune, Abigail Bethune, Hartley Bream, Hannah Bethune, Stephen Bennett, Sara Bennett, and Emily Bennett. Also surviving is her brother, Jack Marvin. She was predeceased by her brothers, Charles Marvin and Joseph Marvin.

A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held at Avondale Presbyterian Church on March 30, 2013 at 2 o’clock pm with the Reverend Dr. John B. Earl, III officiating. The family will receive friends at the Church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to Avondale Presbyterian Church, 2821 Park Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28209.