Bethea Retirement Community stands as the only Southern Baptist affiliated Life Plan Retirement Community in the PeeDee region of South Carolina, offering a distinctive Christ-centered mission that infuses every aspect of daily living with purpose and compassion. Residents at Bethea enjoy a warm spirit of community and hospitality; from the moment they arrive, it is clear that relationships among both residents and staff are close-knit and foster an unmistakable sense of being welcomed by family. The community’s heartbeat is its dedication to creating a vibrant atmosphere of living, not simply retiring, allowing residents to pursue lives filled with laughter, service, and personal enrichment.
At the core of Bethea’s philosophy is the understanding that retirement is an opportunity to live abundantly. The community accommodates a wide array of changing needs without ever requiring its residents to relocate, ensuring peace of mind and security for the future. Living options are diverse, ranging from independent and assisted living apartments to a cottage community, patio homes, studios, and suites. The upcoming addition of 18 new state-of-the-art cottages, offered in four spacious floorplans ranging from 1,600 to over 2,500 square feet, exemplifies Bethea’s commitment to providing barrier free access, high-quality appliances, and maintenance-free living. Every detail is designed to maximize comfort, independence, and accessibility.
Bethea’s 145-acre campus is both beautiful and functional, offering amenities and activities reminiscent of a small town. Residents take advantage of prepared meals in a bistro and a restaurant-style dining room, enjoy southern style dining, and gather together for the daily noon meal to break bread and catch up on the latest community happenings. Social engagement is fostered through a full calendar of events and excursions both on and off campus—including shopping trips, beach outings, and lunch excursions that keep life active and interconnected. Amenities such as a library, beauty and barber shop, country store, mail service, massage therapist, exercise room, and a state-of-the-art aquatic center with aquatic therapy are readily available. The aquatics program, led by a certified aquatic therapist, provides rehabilitation, wellness, and fun for both residents and their families.
Faith is interwoven into the daily experience at Bethea. The on-campus Bethea Chapel serves as the spiritual heart of the community, featuring regular church services, morning devotions, and Bible studies that are also open to members of the surrounding Darlington area. The presence of a full-time pastor and a focus on community service opportunities reflects Bethea’s deep connection to its mission of serving senior adults with love and compassion. Many of Bethea’s residents are drawn from backgrounds as pastors, missionaries, or active church members, and they continue their faith journey here by coming together, praying, and serving both the community and the wider Florence-Darlington region.
Healthcare needs are met on-site through the primary care office operated by HopeHealth, Inc., ensuring convenience and access to high-quality medical attention. The 88-bed skilled nursing facility and comprehensive rehabilitation center, along with inpatient and outpatient therapy services, ensure that residents can seamlessly transition between levels of care as their health needs evolve. Independence, wellness, and purposeful living are priorities at Bethea, and the dedicated activities coordinator ensures that every resident has a wealth of opportunities to pursue their interests, nurture friendships, and contribute to community life.
Bethea Retirement Community is more than a place to live; it is truly a home where residents find belonging, support, purpose, and joy in their retirement years. Whether gathering for worship in Bethea Chapel, sharing a midday meal, or volunteering in the wider community, residents enjoy meaningful connections and the freedom to embrace each new day with abundant living.