Obituary For Mr. Donnie L. Hatcher

Mr. Donnie L. Hatcher, a resident of Montgomery, AL, native of Orrville, AL, and former resident of Tuskegee, AL, died Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Bethany House Hospice, Auburn, AL.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Friday, July 29, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. (CST) from John The Baptist Church, 1501 County Road 122, Orrville, AL with Pastor Curtis Williams officiating.

Interment will follow in John The Baptist Memorial Gardens, Orrville, AL. Davis Memorial Mortuary of Valley, AL directing.

Public Viewings are scheduled for Thursday, July 28, 2022 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. (CST) at Davis Memorial Mortuary Chapel 305 W. F. Burns Drive, Valley, AL, and from 4:30-6:00 p.m. (CST) at Rising Star Baptist Church, 2603 Macon County Road 53, Tuskegee, AL 36083.

Mr. Hatcher will lie in repose at John The Baptist Church one hour prior to funeral services.

Mr. Donnie Leon Hatcher was born February 15, 1953, to the parentage of Mr. Earnest and Mrs. Gertrude McElroy Hatcher, Sr. in Orrville, Alabama. Donnie confessed Christ at an early age and joined John the Baptist Church in Orrville. At the time of his death, he was a dedicated member of Rising Star Baptist Church in Tuskegee, Alabama, where he served as the musician and often fellowshipped with New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

He received his primary and secondary education in the Dallas County School System, graduating in 1971 from Keith High School. He then matriculated at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Tuskegee, Alabama, graduating in 1975 with the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He furthered his education and received his Master’s degree from Tuskegee in 1977 in the area of Supervision and Administration.

Donnie began his teaching career as an Instructor at Southern Vocational Junior College in Tuskegee, and continued as an educator in the Macon County, Alabama Public School System which spanned over 30 years. He taught Science at Notasulga High School in Notasulga, Alabama, and retired in the position of Registrar at Booker T. Washington High School in Tuskegee. During his tenure at Notasulga High School, he served as the Junior Class Sponsor and the Advisor for the Junior/Senior Prom. After retirement, Donnie was a member and Treasurer of the Macon County Retired Teachers Association. He enjoyed traveling and coordinated many fun and exciting chartered bus trips and cruises for the retired teachers association, as well as for fans of his beloved alma mater—TU to numerous football games.

Donnie had a love for music and was a gifted musician. He played the trumpet in his high school marching band and also played the piano and organ. He served as musician for several churches, the Tuskegee V. A. Medical Center Sunday morning worship service and for McKenzie’s Funeral Home in Tuskegee. He was also a gifted vocalist—singing in his high school choir, the Tuskegee Institute Choir, the Tuskegee Institute Traveling Choir, and the Tuskegee Community Male Chorus.

He also loved cooking and sharing his delicious dishes and desserts. He looked forward to preparing foods for special church functions, school activities and for family and friends. The elegant art of calligraphy was another one of his many talents. He was often asked to address special invitations such as weddings, graduations, birthday celebrations, and showers. He was a selfless, generous person who would help anyone he could. His laughter was contagious.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two nephews, Isaac W. Hatcher and Gregory L. Perry. Donnie L. Hatcher transitioned on the morning of Thursday, July 21, 2022.

Donnie leaves to cherish loving memories: one sister, Nellie J. Hatcher, Selma, Alabama; two brothers, Earnest Hatcher, Jr., Show Low, Arizona and Tony (Velinda) Hatcher, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; one uncle, Eugene (Rosie) Hatcher, Orrville, Alabama; one aunt, Lula Mae Hatcher (wife of the late Charlie Hatcher), Selma, Alabama; devoted nieces, Janice (Anthony) Harrison, Ft. Washington, Maryland, Debra Hatcher, Griffin, Georgia and, Ernestine Perry, Selma, Alabama; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other loving relatives and many loving friends.

Funeral Services by Davis Memorial Mortuary of Valley.

Services

Guest Book

Oh wow, Uncle Donnie I'm so saddened to learn of your passing almost two years later. We love you Donnie & will miss you fondly. On behalf of Frank Whiteside's family we send our love, well wishes to your siblings & family. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Rest well dear friend , friend of a friend 😁 Dr. Samy Akpan, Robert, Margaret & Johnathan. Fresno, Texas.

- Samy Farrugia

My sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Donnie Hatcher. I have fond memories of Donnie when he would visit my neighbor - his Aunt Eula ("Tee Tee") in Birmingham years ago. May the memories of Donnie be a blessing.

- Gena White

We are expressing our love and heartfelt sympathy to the family of Mr. Donnie Hatcher. Mr. Hatcher was a friend and supporter of the community. The Brown Family - Marvin, Verdell, Cordelia, Nicholas, and Vishaka

- Cordelia M. Brown

- Mary Drisker

Our Deepest Sympathy and Heartfelt Sympathy to the Hatcher Family. Donnie was loved by so many!! He will be truly missed. The Drisker Family

- Mary Drisker

My Condolences to the Hatcher's Family.

- Palmer Irby

My Condolences to the Hatcher's Family.

- Palmer Irby

Our prayers for comfort goes out the to Hatcher family for the loss of Uncle Donnie. His warmth, kindness and talents will surely be missed. Rest in heaven.

- Patrick & Chrysta Peoples

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Rest in Heaven uncle Donnie. You will be missed.

- Chandra

Blessed are those who Mourn, for they shall be Comforted. Matthew 5:4. Condolences from The Craig Family

- Kevin Craig

What a life Mr. Hatcher had and the lives he touched in many years of education. He and I were the science department for many years at Notasulga High School and there were many cherished moments. You will be missed RIP! Ronnie Sikes

- Ronnie sikes

My deepest condolences goes out to the Hatcher family during this time. I was saddened to hear of Uncle Donnie's passing but know that he will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched. [Shad Peoples]

- Shad Peoples

To the Hatchet family, thanks for sharing Donnie throughout his years as a gifted educator, musician, cook, friend with a caring and understanding lifestyle. Another true spiritual soldier whose memories I shall forever treasure. Continuing to keep you in prayer. Catherine Glaze Stakely

- Catherine Glaze Stakely

What an amazing person and what a remarkable life! Donnie Hatcher has left a legacy that will live forever. He made a difference in so many lives, especially the students in the Macon County School System. Rest well my friend. I will see you in the morning! Fannie Sharpe Adams

- Fannie Adams

"May your happy memories give you peace and comfort during this challenging time." Anthony,Carl, Carlynn and Senora Moore

- Carlynn Moore

Deepest Sympathy to the Hatcher family. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5 E. Bryant

- Edna Bryant

Suffering the loss of Donnie pains and stings unlike anything else. Donnie was a gift to everyone whoever met him. A great man has left this earth, but will forever be in our hearts. Great memories will live on. God bless the Hatcher's family. Senora Moore

- Senora Moore

Our deepest sympathy and prayers goes out to the Hatcher Family. We are so sorry for your loss. Asking God to comfort and strengthen you all during this difficult time. Donnie was a good and kind person. We can share the memories of Donnie with others who knew him. Cynthia Austin and family

- Cynthia Austin

Tony and Family, we convey our most sincere sympathy to you and your family in the transition of our longtime friend and Tuskegee University classmate, Donnie Leon Hatcher. May sacred, joyful and beautiful memories of Donnie lift your spirits and brighten your day as you go forward from this point. Donnie will be remembered as a great brother with an infectious personality. We convey our love deepest condolences.

- Carl & Karol Montgomery

Heartfelt sympathy and condolence to the Hatcher Family. Donnie was a longtime friend and co-worker at Macon County Board of Education. Donnie had a unique way of communicating with you. He will be missed. To have known Donnie, you had no choice but to love him. Rest in perfect peace.

- Marycile Echols

Donnie you will be greatly missed and to the family he was loved rest in peace.

- Edna henry

Sadly missed along life's way, quietly remembered every day. No longer in our life to share, but in our hearts, you're always there. My sympathy, my condolences,but most importantly, my prayers are with the Hatcher family. ~ Omar R. Vinson

- Omar R. Vinson

My Sincerest Condolences to Mr. Hatcher's Family. He will Forever Be Remembered! Janie Holmes

- Janie Holmes

I pray that the memories shared with Donnie will comfort you through this season. He will live forever in your memories and he is worshipping around the throne of God. Now he is in that heavenly choir. Helen Mitchell

- Helen Mitchell