Marion Frances Bethea, age 91, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her close family members on October 20, 2018. Marion was born on September 18, 1927 in Sanford, Florida to the late John and Mary (Dengel) Herbst.
After graduating from Seminole High School in 1945, she attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Marion had several careers during her life. Her first job was Office Manager at Bawer Electric in Sanford; yet, of all her careers, her favorite was that of a news reporter for the Sanford Herald. Her passion was reporting events from criminal trials, County Commission and City Council meetings, and opining on the society page. After her children were grown, she returned to school and was among the first graduating class of the Seminole Community College Nursing Program.
Her commitment to the community came in many forms, from political activism, including volunteering as a poll worker during elections, campaigning for Governor Claude Kirk and Chairperson for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential campaign, to 4-H Leader, Girl Scout Leader, and substitute teacher at Lake Mary Elementary School. Marion was a staunch advocate of women’s rights, which she passed on to her daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters. She served as an associate pastor, choir leader, and Sunday school teacher at the Congregational Christian Church in Sanford, where she was a member since the age of 18.
Marion certainly lived life to the fullest, participating as a race car driver in the Power Puff races at the New Smyrna Beach Speedway, flying in a Zeppelin and a glider plane. She also thoroughly enjoyed the theatre and had a playbill collection to prove it. Her collection began in her teen years and spanned from the theatres on Broadway in New York City to the Helen Stairs Theatre in Sanford. Later in life she also joined the Red Hat Society.
She was predeceased by her first husband of 16 years, Wilbur Keeling, and her second husband of 33 years, Walter Bethea. Marion is survived by her daughters Debra (Dale) Keeling Wagner, Cynthia (David) Keeling Williamson, and son Dale Robert Keeling. Grandchildren Brittany (Ben) Wagner Scott, Brooke (Jason) Wagner Odom, Ryan (Colt) Wagner, David (Laura) Wagner, Brent (Nicole) Wagner, Kelly (Caleb) Williamson Smith, Kristin (Stockwell) Williamson Haines and great-grandchildren, Megan and Lauren Scott, Ava, Caroline and Graham Odom, Jett and Piper Wagner and Bradley Wagner.
A celebration of Marion’s life will be held Saturday, November 3, 2018. The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m., with service following at 11:00 a.m. at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home Oaklawn Chapel, 5000 County Road 46A, Sanford. Interment immediately following at Evergreen Cemetery, 1975 West 25th Street (S.R. 46A), Sanford. A reception will be held at Baldwin Fairchild Oaklawn Chapel after interment.
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