Mayesville in Sumter County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Birthplace of Mary McLeod Bethune
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010
1. Birthplace of Mary McLeod Bethune Marker
This noted humanitarian and educator was born five miles north of Mayesville, S.C., on July 10, 1875. She was one of the first pupils of the Mayesville Mission School, located fifty yards west of this marker, where she later served as a teacher. She died on May 18, 1955, and is buried at Bethune-Cookman College.
Mrs. Bethune devoted her life to the advancement of her race. As the founder of Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida, she directed its policy for thirty years. She founded the National Council of Negro Women in 1935. Honored by four presidents, she was a consultant in the drafting of the United Nations Charter.
Erected 1975 by The Sumter County Historical Commission. (Marker Number 43-16.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Mary McLeod Bethune series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1682.
Location. 33° 58.885′ N, 80° 12.557′ W. Marker is in Mayesville, South Carolina, in Sumter County. It is at the intersection of Florence Highway
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Mayesville Story (approx. 0.4 miles away); Beulah School (approx. 2.6 miles away); Birth Place of Mary McLeod Bethune (approx. 2.9 miles away); Salem (Black River) Presbyterian Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); Concord Presbyterian Church (approx. 5 miles away); Goodwill Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. (approx. 5.8 miles away); Bethel United Methodist Church (approx. 5.8 miles away); " Ebenezer " (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mayesville.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rev. John Leighton Wilson, D.D. (was approx. 5 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . Mary Jane McLeod Bethune , Wikipedia entry. Bethune attended college hoping to become a missionary in Africa... (Submitted on February 12, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 10, 2010
2. Birthplace of Mary McLeod Bethune Marker, reverse side
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 10, 2010
3. Birthplace of Mary McLeod Bethune Marker
at intersection for South Lafayette Street (State Highway 154)
courtesy of the National Park Service
4. Mary McLeod Bethune, later years
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,273 times since then and 94 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week March 15, 2026. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 12, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
