A funeral service to honor the life of Dr. James Riley "Jim" Gettys, Jr., age 76, will be held at 2 o'clock on Friday, November 18, 2022, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Columbia, SC. The Rev. Nicholas Beasley will officiate, and the family will receive friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall. A private burial will be held at Prince George Winyah in Georgetown, SC, at a later date.

Dr. Gettys was the husband of Elizabeth "Bet" Thompson Gettys. Jim died on November 15, 2022, of complications of Parkinson's Disease.

Born in Hartsville, South Carolina, Jim was the son of the late J. Riley Gettys and the late Bruce Traywick Gettys and loved to talk about Hartsville and swimming in Prestwood Lake.

He was a graduate of Wofford College and was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Jim earned an MD degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and completed a residency in diagnostic radiology at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University. Dr. Gettys was a member of Pitts Radiology in Columbia for nearly 30 years.

He also served two years in the US Army Medical Corps. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati and the General Society of Colonial Wars. He and his family spent many happy hours at the Barracks at Pawley's Island fishing for flounder, crabbing, reading, and playing with the grandkids.

His loving wife, Bet, survives him; his daughters, Harriett Gettys Coleman (Lee) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Jean Singleton Hood (Bobby) of Charleston, SC, and Anne McNeill Singleton of Charlotte, NC; sons, James Boulware Gettys, MD (Ashley) of Greenville, SC, William McAngus Gettys (Beki) of Columbia, SC; grandchildren, Riley, Gage, and John Houston Gettys, Eli and Hugh Gettys, Mary Mac and Stuart Coleman, and Bobby and Harry Hood; sisters, Hope Gettys Dunlap (Randy) of Columbia, SC, Mary Mac Gettys McDonald (Mac) of Hartsville, SC; sisters-in-law, Gail Overton Thompson of Pawleys Island, SC, Dorothy Anne Thompson of Lebanon, TN.

He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, John Shepherd Thompson of Pawleys Island.

Memorials may be made in his honor to St. John's Episcopal Church, 2827 Wheat St., Columbia, SC 29205; Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, 1 Still Hopes Dr., W. Columbia, SC 29169; Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Georgetown Times on Nov. 16, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for James Gettys

Sponsored by Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home & Crematory - Hartsville.

5 Entries

Sandy Snead

November 18, 2022

So sorry to hear about Dr Jim dying. I am remembering a time when he and Bet were of much help during a very difficult time in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family, especially Bet, Jean, Anne, Hope and Mary Mac. A Kind and Gentle man. --Sandy Snead

Vicki Langford

November 18, 2022

So sorry to hear of his passing . I worked with him when I was a Radiology nurse at Prisma Baptist . He was absolutely one of the best . He was awesome to taught to and was a kind , good man . Deepest Condolences to all who loved him .

Dana Haithcock, Jr. M D

November 17, 2022

Jim and I roomed together for our first 2 years at Wofford. He was one of the finest men I have ever known. He was loved and admired by all his classmates at Wofford and at the Medical University of South Carolina. My sincere condolences to his family. Dana Haithcock, Jr. M D

Wendy Jeffcoat

November 17, 2022

Dr.Gettys was such a great person. He was my favorite Radiologist to work with, such a gentle,nice man! He will truly be missed..

DJ Kopp

November 17, 2022

My sincerest condolences for the Gettys´s family at this time. Wishing all peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to all at this difficult time.

Dr. Gettys was always a pleasure to work with during my time with Pitts Radiology......DJ Kopp (MRI)

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