Mrs. Mary Alice Pearson Bethea, affectionally known as "Mae" and "Mae Alice,"  75 of Charlotte, passed away on Friday November 29, 2019 at Atrium Health-University. She was born November 19, 1944 in Marlboro County, South Carolina.  She was the daughter of the late Sudie Mary Pearson Ratcliff and Douglas Dease.

Mary graduated high school from Bennettsville High School in Bennettsville, SC.  She later attended Chesterfield Marlboro Technical College, where she earned her certification as a Nursing Assistant.  She later met in 1974 and married the late James Bethea of Bronx, New York, and were married for 26 years.

She worked as a CNA for many years, then later worked for the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System with a special needs children as a Special Needs Bus Monitor and Teacher Assistant.

Mary Bethea was a proud member of Rockwell AME Zion where she served faithfully as a member the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society, and a member of the Golden Gates Choir.

She leaves to cherish fond memories:  Four children, Anthony Watson of Charlotte, NC; James (Karen) Watson Sr. of Charlotte, NC; William (Machiko) Watson of Charlotte, NC; China (Raymond Jr.) Carruthers of Charlotte, NC; and raided Erica Dease of Bennettsville, SC.  Seven grandchildren, Saudia Watson, Kiara Watson, Breaunna Carruthers, Raymond Carruthers III, James Watson Jr., Quindon Carruthers, and Joshua Wright.  Five sisters, Evelyn Samuel, Catherine Dease, Mary Dease, Mae Cathy Dease, Rosa Lee McCray all of Bennettsville, SC; Five brothers, John Douglas Dease (Deceased), Levester Dease (Deceased), Paul (Olena) Dease all of Bennettsville, SC; James Fuller of Philadelphia, PA; and Grady Bat of Charlotte,NC.  Three sister-in-laws, Jessica Bethea of Queens, NY; Bertha Bethea of Pamplico, SC; and Betty Fuller of High Point, NC.