Emmett “Harvey” Hatcher, 76, of Tifton passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at his residence. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 19, 2016, at Tifton’s First United Methodist Church with Rev. Benjy Varnell officiating. Mr. Hatcher will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, August 18, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Dudley Click, Van Dow, Bob Doolan, Jerry Coley, Gary Grimes and Danny Bailey will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Tiftarea Auto Club and members of the Beacon Sunday class of Tifton’s First United Methodist Church.
Born October 28, 1939, in Columbus, Mr. Hatcher was the son of the late Emmett A. Hatcher and Adele Harvey Hatcher. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie Lastinger Webb. He graduated from Tift County High School in 1958 and attended the University of Georgia. He was the former owner of the Tifton Harvey’s Supermarket and member of Tifton’s First United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Hasan Shrine Temple in Albany and the Masonic Lodge #47 in Tifton.
Mr. Hatcher is survived by his wife, Virginia Spradley Hatcher of Tifton; his children, Buffy Hatcher Mitchell and husband Scott of Cocoa, Florida and Christie Paresi of Ellijay; a son-in-law, Charles Webb of Orange Park, Florida; his grandchildren, Michelle Webb Wilkerson and husband Barry, Jessica Milnor, Nick Smith, Caleb Rich, Cody Carter, Bree Mitchell, Maria Paresi and Jaclyn Mitchell; and his great-grandchildren, his special great-granddaughter, Tristyn Webb, Jayden Morgan, Josh Wilkerson, Bentley Rich, Beyla Wilkerson and Emmett Rich.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Tifton Youth Fund, 107 12th Street West, Tifton, GA 31794.