Obituary of Lt. Col. USAF Ret. Glen Edward Belew

USAF Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Glen Edward Belew, 88 years old, husband of Margaret Jennings Belew, died on October 20 at Covenant Place. Born in Hamlin, Texas, he was a son of the late Charlie William Belew and Fern Finley Belew. He grew up in Abilene, Texas, graduating from Abilene High School. After graduating from Baylor University, Mr. Belew entered the USAF to become a fighter pilot. He served a tour in Vietnam and then became an instructor for other pilots. He retired after 28 years as a Lt. Colonel. After the Air Force, Mr. Belew was active in civic life in Sumter. He worked for several years at B. L. Montague Co. and was owner and operator of several small businesses, including The Wood Connection, Doolallies, and Marble Slab Creamery. He was a member of Christ Community Church where he served as an elder. The most important part of his life was his faith, his family, and his service to his God, his country, and others. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Tom Belew and Tandy Belew. Surviving is his wife of 67 years, four daughters, Kathy Sorrells (Paul), Becki Ard (Mike), Marcie Harper (Lester), and Nancy Fletcher (Mike); a sister, Mouna Wilson; a brother, Bill Belew; 14 grandchildren, Brian Sorrells (Ashley), Sarah Maloney (Bren), Rachel Lambert (Neal), Julia Sorrells, Melissa Ard, Rebecca Smith (Kevin), Kristen Ard, Stephen Harper (Jasiri), Heather Harper, Thomas Harper (Friday), Will Harper (Katie), Daniel, Jack, and Maggie Harper, and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday at Christ Community Church with Rev. Mark Yoder officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law. Honorary pallbearers will be elders of Christ Community Church, the Adams Life Group, Christ Community Church Women’s Prayer Group, Dan and Dottie Lyles, Jim and Donna Adams, L. W. Jennings, Eugene McKnight, Sissy Christmas, and Kurt Wilson. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Covenant Place residents and staff, especially to Melissa Bradley, the staff of Amedisys Hospice, especially Linda Squires, RN, and Linda Sumter, CNA; and Carolina Caregivers, especially Wendy Felder. The family will receive friends from 10-11 AM Wednesday at Christ Community Church and other times at the home of his daughter, Kathy Sorrells, at 3650 Winfield Drive. Memorials may be made to Christ Community Church, 320 Loring Mill Road, Sumter, SC 29150 or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.