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Joseph Bethea
<p>Joseph Henry Bethea, son of the late Joseph and Hattie Bethea was born on October 20, 1944 in Trenton, NJ. He departed this life peacefully on July 2, 2020. He is predeceased by his sister Della Cain, brothers Donald E. Bethea and Robert L. Bethea.</p> <p>In his early youth he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and joined the congregation of Galilee Baptist Church in Trenton, NJ. At that time the church was under the Pastor ship of the late Reverend Semuel M. Bagley.</p> <p>Joseph was educated in the Lawrenceville and Trenton school system. Upon graduating from Trenton High school, he attended the Spring Garden Institute in Philadelphia, PA.</p> <p>After trade school he joined the United States Air Force and began his four year military tenure. Joseph proudly served in the Air Force during the Vietnam war and was a Sergeant when he received his honorable discharge in 1970.</p> <p>Joseph was employed by General Motors in Ewing NJ, where he worked as a supervisor for many years. His next endeavor was the opening of two 7-11 stores which were some of the first black owned franchises in Trenton. He also worked for the Unemployment Connection Program as a job coach, and being gifted in business he started his home improvement company named Design Contracting. He hired several employees and provided them with the proper training to further their careers in the business.</p> <p>Joseph was a sponsor for the Division of Developmental Disability for 35 years. He continued to work with the disabled and took care of three guys for many years. Above all his endeavors and there were many, he truly loved working with the disabled. He took very good care of his guys until the very end.</p> <p>Joseph leaves to cherish his memories to his children who are; three sons Amon Bethea of Georgia, Joseph Bethea 3rd of Yardley, PA (Jennifer), Courtney Bethea of Willingboro, NJ Daughter Sheretta Cain of Pennington, NJ and Step daughter Latoya Rutherford of Lawrenceville, NJ; a sister Jacqueline (Jakki) Bethea of Lawrenceville, NJ. Joseph loved and cared for his 11 grandchildren, Caszmere Bethea, Natorus Bethea, Makayla Bethea, Brian Bethea, Sanai Stills, Devon Bethea, Tyler Bethea, Alexander Bethea, Jealaina Rutherford, Zachary Gordon Jr., Zoey Gordon and his devoted friend Bill Holman of Ewing, NJ. He leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.</p> <p>Joseph Henry Bethea Jr. will truly be missed by all that he knew and loved.</p>July 2, 202007/02/2020
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Joseph Bethea
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