Cynthia Bethea

As a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Home Health Aide, Cynthia dedicated over 35 years of her life to the care of the elderly and disabled. Among her retired community, Cynthia continued to supply support and aid to her neighbors when opportunities arose. In 2004, she relocated to Acworth, Georgia from Bellevue, Washington, to reside with family. At that time, she switched careers and chose to become a Waffle House cook, a position she loved and took great pride in until her retirement in August 2012.

While attending the University of Montana, in Missoula, she was a Reserve Officer’s Training Cadet (ROTC). As the mother of six children, ROTC challenged Cynthia to dig deep and develop new skills, reach personal goals, and to further appreciate her ability to persevere.

Personally, Cynthia enjoyed reading biographies, dystopian series, and learning. She had a collection of historical and academic textbooks that she enjoyed and continued to read and study until the final months of her life. Cynthia was a “no nonsense, tell it like it is” kind of woman. Her love and devotion to her children motivated Cynthia to sacrifice her own dreams for their benefit. Her personal strength and determination were exemplified by her strong work ethic and assertion that complaining was a waste of time. This value system was modeled for her children, by holding down 2-3 jobs for most of her professional career. Although she was private, she had great compassion for others' suffering and would go out of her way to help those in need. She was passionate, willing to take calculated risks, and admit her own mistakes. In the final weeks of her life, Cynthia’s focus remained on her children and grandchildren as she strived to protect and buffer them from any hardship her passing might cause.

Cynthia Bethea was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 17, 1949, to the late James Bethea and the late Gladys McKinnie Bethea. She was preceded in death by her former husbands, Lawrence Almando Graham, and Selwyn D. Gumm.

Cynthia is survived by her brother, Opio M. Abdullah (formerly Kenneth Bethea), her four sons, two daughters, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great children. They include her son, Lawrence A. Graham Jr. (Christine), granddaughter Aleta Graham, and great granddaughter Raya Graham, granddaughter Amanda Whitten (Mark), great granddaughter Cordelia Whitten, and great granddaughter, Camille Whitten; her son David M. Graham; her son, Anthony M. Graham, and granddaughter Julisa Rae Graham, and great-granddaughter Cloe Graham, and great grandson Charlie Graham, and great granddaughter Lana Graham, and great grandson Rah Graham; her daughter, Laura A. Graham, granddaughter LaShaun Kelley, great granddaughter Aayana Whigham, and great-granddaughter, Shanelle Whigham, and grandson Len Kelley, Jr.; Tracey J. Van Dyke (Rafael), grandson Leighton Van Dyke, grandson Coleman Van Dyke, great granddaughter Kay’Lynn Van Dyke, grandson Greyson Van Dyke, and granddaughter Micaela Cherie Wallace (Andrew); and her son, Kabu S. Graham (Karen), granddaughter Reana Graham, great grandson Princeton McMillan, granddaughter Marie Emilia Coba, and grandson JuanAndres Coba.

Cynthia will be missed greatly. May Cynthia’s soul find eternal peace, and may her family and friends find comfort in the cherished memories and love they received from her. Per her final wishes, a small service will be held for her family and friends on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Woodstock, Georgia.