Allen “AJ” Bethea Jr. was born in Mullins, Marion County, South Carolina on February 14, 1948. He was the oldest of four children born to the late Allen Sr. and Mary Brown Bethea. He attended the public schools in Dillon County, Latta, South Carolina and graduated from Latimer High School. For more than forty-three years he was a chief auto mechanic for PSEG in Irvington, New Jersey. He was a member of the Bowling League earning multiple trophies. He was joined in holy matrimony to the late Margaret “Margie” Bethea and to this union five children were born. On Monday, April 13, 2020 in WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia, Allen was called from labor to reward. He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, brother and friend to all who came in contact with him.

Allen was preceded in death along with his parents; one sibling: Joyce Bethea. Allen leaves to cherish fond and loving memories ~ five children: Guy Kennesaw of Georgia , Jonas Kennesaw of Georgia, Tonya (Donald) Woodstock of Georgia, Allen III (Demetria ) of North Plainfield, New Jersey, Derrick Kennesaw of Georgia; eleven grandchildern: Jasmine, Deshawn, Kailah (Chris), Jonarrio, Dominique, Daquan, Zaire, Tamia, Mercedes, Samirah, Janaa; eight great grandchildren: Leah, Emerie, Isabella “Bella,” Zion, Raya, Laianna, Kayden, Christopher “CJ”; one sister: Priscilla Vanderhall of Dillon, SC; one brother: Curtis Bethea of Dillon, SC and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.