Geraldine S. Hatcher

Kenansville - Geraldine Hatcher, 90, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at the Gardens of Rose Hill assisted living center. Born and raised in Onslow County, NC, she graduated from Richlands High School in 1953. She and her husband Joseph Earl Hatcher married in 1954 and raised their two sons, Anthony and Dana, in Kenansville, NC. They built a little pink house in 1956 – Geraldine insisted it be painted pink, 30 years before the John Mellencamp song – where they spent their marriage, and where Geraldine lived until she moved to Rose Hill in 2019. Over the course of 68 years, the house expanded in size, added a garage and an outbuilding, and changed color a few times.

Earl Hatcher was co-owner of the Kenansville Drug Store with Amos Brinson, and later with Amos Brinson, Jr., known as Doc. Earl died in 1995. Dana Hatcher, their younger son, was a respected teacher at several North Carolina community colleges who passed away in 2016.

In the years after her husband’s death, Geraldine made a point of driving around town to visit friends and shut-ins. She was slowed by painful arthritis in her final decade, at first using a cane, and then a rolling walker to get around. Eventually, she could no longer care for herself and had to leave her beloved house where she had spent the majority of her life.

After an adjustment period, Geraldine bonded with the staff in Rose Hill, who reciprocated her friendship. They appreciated her conversation, told her about their families, and laughed at her sense of humor. They treated her well. Still, she enjoyed outings, especially going out for lunch, and especially when lunch included massive amounts of shrimp. No matter how much she ate, she always had room for ice cream.

Geraldine loved visits from her family, which included Dana and his wife Marty; Anthony and his wife Tricia; Anthony’s daughter Katie; and her great-granddaughter Clara, born in July. Katie and her husband Cameron took Clara to the Gardens of Rose Hill to meet her great-grandmother on Sunday, Sept. 29. The following Friday, Geraldine passed away in her sleep.

During her stay in assisted living, Geraldine always maintained that one day she would move home. Now, she has.

Geraldine is survived by son, Anthony Hatcher and wife, Tricia of Durham, daughter-in-law, Marty Hatcher of High Point, granddaughter, Katie Muhlenkamp and husband, Cameron of High Point and great granddaughter, Clara.

She was preceded in death by husband, Joseph Earl Hatcher and son, Dana Hatcher.

Visitation will be held 6:00 - 8:00pm, Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, Inc. A funeral service will be held 1:00pm, Thursday, October 10, 2024 in Community Funeral Home Chapel in Warsaw, NC. A private burial will be held in East Duplin Memorial Gardens in Beulaville.

Flowers welcome or memorials may be made to: Gentiva Hospice, 126 E Elizabeth Street, Clinton, NC 28328 or Kenansville Baptist Church, P. O. Box 865, Kenansville, NC 28349.

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