James W. (Rip) Hatcher

James W. (Rip) Hatcher, age 73, a resident of Abbeville, passed away late Thursday morning, October 18, 2012, at his home after an extended illness.

            Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 20, 2012, in the Holman-Abbeville Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Ralph Baker officiating. Burial will follow in the Hutto Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday at the mortuary.

            Mr. Hatcher was born and reared in Houston County, son of the late Robert Daniel Hatcher and Lottie Lucille White Hatcher. He lived in Abbeville most of his adult lifetime. Mr. Hatcher was retired as a Deputy with the Henry County Sheriff's Department and in earlier years served as the Chief Deputy. After retirement, he was employed by Scott Farms, Dixie Horse & Mule Company and as a security guard at the Henry County Court House. Mr. Hatcher was a member of the Mt. Zion Free Will Baptist Church and the Henry County Saddle Club. He was a former member of the Masonic Order. Mr. Hatcher was preceded in death by a sister, Boncille Cochran, two brothers, Leon Elliott and Robert Junior Hatcher and a niece, Teresa Brown.

            Surviving relatives include his wife, Ann Vickers Hatcher, three sons, Kent Hatcher and wife, Beth Bailey Hatcher, Randy Hatcher and wife, Beth Palmer Hatcher, and Tim Hatcher, all of Abbeville; two sisters, Mary Ellen Yance and LueVern Raley, both of Dothan; six grandchildren, Brian Hatcher (Stephanie), Jessica Hatcher, Matt Hatcher (Fiance', Victoria), Morgan Hatcher, Raven Turner and Chris Paul (Brittany); five great-grandchildren, Haley, Holly and Hunter Hatcher, Dylan Culp and Noah Paul; several nieces and nephews including a special nephew, Danny Hatcher.

            Serving as active pallbearers will be Don Smith, Don Taylor, Joe Fred Creel, Junior Davis, Paul Forehand, Kenneth Yance, Jerry Green and Donald Lisenby.