Funeral services for Mr. John Earl Bethel were held on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017 at 1 p.m. from New Bethel Baptist Church in Lapine, Alabama. Rev. Jesse Sankey officiated. Burial followed in Rockdale Baptist Churchyard cemetery in Lapine, Alabama. Hudson Funeral Services of Greenville,

Alabama directed.

John Earl “Truck” Bethel was born on Sept. 29, 1956 in Lapine, Alabama to Johnnie Mae (Grimes) Bethel and the late Johnny Lee Bethel. He was the second-eldest of eight children born to this union.

In 1977 John married his high school sweetheart, Betty Peterson. To this union three children were born.

John joined the United States Army in 1977, where he served his country for more than 10 years.

John departed this life on Aug. 14, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. John was preceded in death by his father, Johnny Lee Bethel, and a sister, Katherine Bethel.

Loving memories will continue to linger in the hearts of those who loved him, which include his mother, Johnnie Mae Grimes Bethel; three daughters; Tinecha Posey, Kiffany Bethel and Tuwanna Whittle all of whom reside in Georgiana, Ala.; four brothers, Jester Bethel Sr., Georgiana, Ala., Sammy (Arlene) Bethel, Jacksonville, Fla., Terry (Stephanie)  Bethel, Austin, Texas, and Gaaron Bethel, Decatur, Ala.; two sisters Brenda (Donald) Scott and Patricia (Lonnie) Sims, both of Georgiana, Ala.; five grandchildren, NCO Marvin Posey, USMC (San Diego, Calif.), Tianna Whittle, Tangela Posey, Kiara Posey and Reginald Whittle, all of Georgiana, Ala.; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.