Frances Garst Hatcher

Frances Garst Hatcher, 91, of Roanoke, died quietly Friday, October 10, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Basil D. Hatcher; her parents, Marvin and Maggie Garst; her brothers, David Garst and Emory Garst; and her sisters, Margaret Garst Roberts and Charlotte Garst Barnes. She is survived by her children, Ann Hatcher Kirk and her husband, Dan Kirk. of Smyrna, Ga.; her son, Flick Hatcher and his partner, Lou Marano, of San Francisco, Ca.; her grandchildren, Meghann Kirk, of Washington, D.C., and Whitney Ann Kirk Adams and her husband, Matt, of Smyrna, Ga.; her great-granddaughter, Norah Abigail Adams; her sister, Ruth Garst Jett and her husband, Bud, of Midlothian, Va.; her friend, caregiver and companion, Sue Shires and her daughter, Nikki, of Roanoke, Va.; numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. She enjoyed a long career as a professional photographer, specializing in portrait photography. She retired to raise her two children, and was devoted to them and to Basil, her husband, of almost 60 years. She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, where she served as director of the Guild of the Christ Child, a Sunday school teacher and member of the Altar Guild for more than 35 years. She was also active as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the March of Dimes. She loved the outdoors and had a special place in her heart for all animals, especially her cats. Until recent years, she was active at Hidden Valley Country Club in the Women's Golf Association, and she enjoyed golf year-round. An accomplished bridge player, she was a member of several bridge clubs and she played actively with her friends until she died. A compassionate, gentle, wise, intuitive and loving woman, she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2008, at Oakey's South Chapel on Rt. 221, in Roanoke. A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at 11 a.m. followed by internment at Sherwood Memorial Park, in Salem, Va. The family requests that memorials be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 1101 Franklin Road, Roanoke, Va. 24016. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel.