Eva Bethea Jameson Kleckley

Eva Bethea Jameson Kleckley, age 99, the oldest member of the Ridgeland Baptist Church, passed away on August 22, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents Wessie and J. O. Bethea; sister Ruth Mary Bethea, brother Jack Bethea, and twin great-grandsons Hunter Jameson and Turner Jameson. She was married during WWII to David Mattison Jameson who died just after their 25th anniversary. Later in life she was married to Leamon Kleckley for five years before his death.

She is survived by Mary Joy Jameson Pizzella (Patrick) of Alexandria, VA, and son David Jameson (Sandra) of Aiken, SC, two grandsons Mattison Jameson (Meghan) and Callahan Jameson (Mary Elizabeth); and four great-grandchildren Caroline Jameson, Margaret Joy Jameson, Charlie Jameson, and Madeline Jameson.

The daughter of school teachers, she was born on a farm in the Dillon, SC, area and grew up in Lydia, SC, near Hartsville. After graduating from Columbia College, she began her teaching career in her early twenties. She taught for 42 years and retired in May 1982. In Ridgeland, she taught at Ridgeland Elementary School when it was in the building that now houses the Pratt Memorial Library. Later, she became one of the founding teachers at Thomas Heyward Academy in 1970. She was humbled in 2012 when the Gopher Hill Festival named her the parade Grand Marshall and asked that she represent Jasper County “Educators Through The Ages.”

Miss Eva loved to reminisce about students that she had over the years, and about her family. Her pride in her children was obvious, both her own children and those she taught not only at school, but those she nurtured at church. Many people believed that if the lights were on at the Ridgeland Baptist Church she was there teaching in a classroom, working in the kitchen, raising money for missionaries, and always growing as a Christian. She served the Lord in many ways and continued to minister to people up to her last breath.

She was known for her green thumb and loved sharing roses from her garden of fifty plants with her friends for their special events. She was known for growing roses and enjoying friends of all ages.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 pm, Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Ridgeland Baptist Church, 1448 Grays Hwy, Ridgeland with burial in Ridgeland Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm, Friday, August 24, 2018 at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 W. Adams St., Ridgeland. Memorials may be directed to the Lottie Moon Christmas Fund at the Ridgeland Baptist Church, 1448 Grays Hwy, Ridgeland, SC, 29936.