Dorothy Lea Hatcher

Dorothy Lea Hatcher, 91, a resident of Benton, passed away Monday, January 22, 2018 in a local hospital. She was born in Sevier County in the Wears Valley community on July 13, 1926 to the late Frank Cooper and Una McFall Cooper.  She and her late husband, McKinley Hatcher, earned their livelihood by farming, initially in Sevier County and later in Polk County; they owned and operated Riverside Dairy Farm in Benton.  She was a long-term member of Benton Station Baptist Church and enjoyed the many visits from the WMU women of this church.  She had many special friends at Beech Springs Baptist Church and enjoyed the many ways in which they provided love and kindness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, McKinley; her sister, Meryl; four brothers, Howard Cooper, Delmar Cooper, James Cooper and Max Cooper and her two sons, Warren Hatcher and Don Hatcher.

She is survived by her son, Rev. Joe Hatcher (Glenda); daughter, Wilma Hatcher Guy (Jim); daughters-in-law, Linda Hatcher (Warren) and Candy Hatcher (Don); grandchildren, L’Ene Creasman, Joey Gaby, LeeAnn Thomason, Will Hatcher, Robby Hatcher, Shane Hatcher, Mac Hatcher, and Amy Fitzhugh; sister, Alden Douglas (Ray); brother, Rex Cooper (Peggy); sisters-in-law Thelma Keith,  Lorraine LaHaie and Florence Autrey; “adopted” grandchildren, Carl “Hoss” Maples and Jose Ceniceros; great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews also survive..  She had several special caregivers including Kathleen Silvers, Jane McNelly, granddaughter-in-law, Angie Hatcher and great granddaughter, Sarah Hatcher.

Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2018 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.  Interment will held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2018 in Benton Memorial Gardens with Mac Hatcher, Shane Hatcher, Carl “Hoss” Maples, Robby Hatcher, Will Hatcher and Jose Ceniceros serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home prior to the service.

 
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to; Benton Station Baptist Church Mission Funds (P.O. Box 488, Benton, TN 37307) or Beech Springs Baptist Church Mission Funds (P.O. Box 160, Old Fort, TN 37362). 

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Hatcher family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com