Mr. Robert Doyle Bethune, age 77, of Summerville, GA, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at his residence after a long battle with cancer.  He was surrounded by his closest friends and loving family.

Mr. Bethune was born February 18, 1938, in Trion, GA, son of the late Clyde Ray and Dice Lacy Bethune.  He was a member of the Trion Heights Baptist Church. He was very involved in church throughout his lifetime, having served as a Choir Director and not only Sunday School Teacher, but also as the Sunday School Superintendent.  He worked hard throughout his life to support his wife and family, having been employed with Frito Lay where he received multiple awards including "Outstanding Salesman."  Mr. Bethune also enjoyed coaching ball and playing golf.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Orville Bethune, Herbert Bethune, and Dewayne Bethune.

Mr. Bethune is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley Ann Blanks Bethune; sons and daughters-in-law, Verlon and Sandra Bethune, Dennis and Coni Bethune; daughters and son-in-law, Donna and Alvin Cordell, Bridgett Bethune; brothers, Van Bethune, David Bethune, Raymond Bethune; sisters, Naomi Slate, Charlotte Huguley, Mary Ruth Day, and Kathi Holzer; grandchildren, Justin Butler, Trace Bethune, Blake Bethune, Olivia McCaffery, and Dixie Bethune; great-grandchild, Hayden McCaffery, and another great-grandchild on the way.

Funeral services for Mr. Bethune will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 26, 2015, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Vernon Johnson, Rev. Andy Hutchins, Dr. Matt Campbell, and granddaughter Dixie Bethune officiating.  Interment will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens.  Active pallbearers will be Jon Bethune, David McCarry, Phil Butler, Sandy Reno, Dallas Holzer, and Bill Queen.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Trion Heights Men's Bible Class.

Mr. Bethune will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service on Saturday.

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