Jim Hatley, Jr.

Jim Hatley, Jr., cared deeply not only for family, but also for church and community. On October 4, 1918, Jim, Sr. and Lucinda Hatley celebrated the birth of a son, they named Jim, Jr. Mr. Hatley was a long time member of St. Clair Baptist Church in Burtsell, Arkansas where he served on the Deacon Board. Later he moved his membership to Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Gurdon, Arkansas where he served as Trustee, until his death. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was a World War II veteran having served his country from 1942-1945. Jim was elected Justice of Peace from January 1998 to December 2006 and served from 4 two-year terms. He was retired employee of the Reynolds Metal Company. Until his later years, Jim was an avid fisherman and hunter who enjoyed grilling for family, friends and church members. He married Odessa Hatley, they were married 53 years until her homegoing. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Rebecca Hatley and Christine Hatley Beard; brothers K.T. Hatley and Eugene Hatley. After 89 seasons, Jim Hatley passed into the Lord’s embrace on Friday, November 30, 2007 in Brownsville, Texas. He was welcomed by his parents, the love of his life Odessa, his brothers and sisters. Those left to celebrate and cherish his memories are his children; Leon & his wife Sindy Buford of Battle Creek, MI, Jerry & his wife Yvonne Hatley of Brownsville, TX, Barbara Keaton of Gurdon, AR, Brendal Hatley and Dianne Hatley of Battle Creek, MI; four brothers, Andy & his wife Christine Hatley of Beirne, AR, Leonard & his wife Elouise Hatley of Chidester, AR, Fred Hatley of Gurdon, AR, and William Hatley of Los Angeles, CA; one sister Erma Buford of Gurdon, AR; grandchildren Michael & his wife Anita Hatley of Little Rock, AR, Lachelle Buford of Moreno Valley, CA, Bonita Keaton of Dallas, TX, Latosha Keaton of Little Rock, AR, Lynette & her husband Craig Lomason of Battle Creek, MI, Thomas Buford of Battle Creek, MI, Elizabeth Hatley of Naval Academy Preparatory School-Newport, RI, Joshua Hatley and Jeremy Hatley both of Corpus Christi, TX, and Nathan Salazar of Corpus Christi, TX; great-grandchildren Asia Hatley of Little Rock, AR, Racquel Hatley of Arkadelphia, AR; and a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, numerous friends and the Mt. Canaan Baptist Church family. Mr. Jim Hatley, Jr., will lie in state at Williams Funeral Home on Friday, December 7, 2007, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The family will greet and share with friends the Images of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Gurdon, Arkansas. The Hatley family has planned a grand homegoing celebration for Mr. Hatley on Saturday, December 8, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. in the sanctuary Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, Gurdon, with Rev. Johnny Harris pastor & officiating. The committal service and final resting place will be in Burtsell Cemetery. Active bearers of the casket will be Mr. Hatley’s nephews; Andy Hatley, Donald Hatley, Larry Hatley, Marcus Hatley, Gerald Hatley, Bernard Hatley, Fredrick Hatley, Melvin Hatley, and Brad Hatley. Honorary bearers of the casket will be T.S. Ollison, David Hawthorne, Billy Lockhart, David Williams, Robert L. Williams and Henry Bell, Jr.