Carson Hatcher

Mr. Carson N. Hatcher, 84, of Bainbridge, GA, passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at Memorial Hospital. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 2007 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Medley, Rev. Tom Shields, and Rev. Gene Cochran officiating. Interment will follow at Oak City Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites. Active pallbearers will be Kontz Bennett, III, David Cochran, Edward Cochran, John Cochran, Raymond Powell, Mark Dunlap, Daniel Dunlap, Mitch Martin, and Carson Martin. Honorary pallbearers will be the Baraca Sunday School Class and Orion Lodge # 8 F. & A. M. The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 19, 2007 at Ivey Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com . Mr. Hatcher was born November 10, 1922 in Brinson, GA to the late Elton Z. Hatcher and Mary Neel Hatcher. He was graduated from Brinson High School in 1939 and was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II. He served in the 752nd Railroad Battalion in Europe and was selected to serve at the Pottsdam Conference because of his meritorious perfect record. He owned and operated Superior Cleaners and Econ-O-Wash Laundry. He served 12 years on the Bainbridge City Council during which he served as Mayor Pro-Tempore and chaired the Gas and Water Committee and the Parks and Recreation Committee. He was instrumental in the conception and development of the Earle B. May Boat Basin Park. He was a member of First Baptist Church, the Baraca Sunday School Class, American Legion Post 62, and V. F. W. Post 4904. He was a member of Orion Lodge # 8 F. & A. M. where he served as Worshipful Master and Secretary, Bainbridge Shrine Club, and the Hasan Shrine Temple. He served as the Grand Marshall for the Grand Lodge of Georgia in 1957. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Rich Hatcher, a daughter, Kathryn H. Carter, and three grandchildren, Brandon M. Carter, Miranda K. Carter, and Tina B. Miller. Survivors include four daughters: Jeanne H. Bennett and husband Kontz of Waycross, GA, Carol H. Cochran and husband Sydney, Barbara H. Brock and husband Denny, Clair H. Dunlap and husband Gene, all of Bainbridge, GA; a son-in-law, Matthew A. Carter of Danielsville, GA; ten grandchildren, Kontz Bennett, III, Bonnie B. Martin, David Cochran, Laurie C. McRae, Edward Cochran, John Cochran, Angel B. Powell, Mark Dunlap, Nikki Dunlap, and Daniel Dunlap; and 13 great-grandchildren.