Houston Jennings Hatcher Jr.

1933 - 2008

Houston Jennings (Hootie) Hatcher Jr., 75, of Natural Bridge, died Sunday, August 31, 2008. He was born July 22, 1933, in Rockbridge County, a son of the late Houston Jennings Hatcher Sr. and Carrie Lillian Watkins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Daniel Lee Hatcher; and two sisters, June Hatcher Rafferty and Carrie Hatcher Walker. Hootie was employed by John Carter Lumber, Bedford, Virginia. He was a member of the Lexington Moose Lodge and Past Governor of the Glasgow Lodge. Hootie was also the owner and founder of Hootieville Bluegrass Music Festivals. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Kessinger Hatcher, of Natural Bridge; one stepson, Wilbur P. "Billy" Kessinger, of Fairfax; and twelve children from a previous marriage, Tommy and Sandy Hatcher, of Lexington, James Hatcher, of Natural Bridge, Leah Hatcher Campbell and Steve, of Natural Bridge, Robert Hatcher and Pam, of Watertown, New York, Johnny Hatcher, of New London, Va., William and Dorthea, of Natural Bridge, Mike Hatcher, of Rustburg, Helen Hatcher Floyd and Steve, of Rockbridge Baths, Mary Hatcher Fitzgerald and Kenny, of Bedford, David Hatcher, of Natural Bridge, Heidi Hatcher Robinette, of North Carolina, and Douglas Hatcher and Daye, of Natural Bridge; 20 grandchildren; nine greatgrandchildren; two God grandchildren, Abigail Lauren Floyd and Jacob Allen Floyd, both of Buena Vista; two brothers, Henry M. Hatcher and Gilmore W. Hatcher; four sisters, Susie J. Denson, of Roanoke, Ruth J. Lewis, of Port Royal, S.C., Margaret Wyatt, of Natural Bridge, and Stephanie J. Miller, of Roanoke; and a very special grandson, Stephen Floyd Jr., of Rockbridge Baths. Funeral service will be conducted at Harrison Funeral Chapel on Thursday, September 4, 2008, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Tony Nix officiating. Interment will follow at Broad Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, Va.