Lorre Resch Hatcher

Lorre Resch Hatcher, longtime Valdosta resident and area businesswoman, passed away at the amazing age of 104 years on November 13th, 2025, at The Orchard at Stone Creek following several years of declining health.

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1921, Lorraine Bohm lived in the Chicago area with her parents, Charles Bohm and Louise Bates Bohm, along with her older sister Marjorie. She was only 10 years old when her mother passed away and with her father traveling for work during that time, she subsequently went to live with her sister until she reached adulthood.

Mrs. Hatcher graduated from Hirsch High School in 1939, attended Miss Taylor’s Business and Finishing School and later attended Thornton Junior College. Early jobs as a bookkeeper introduced her to the business world and it was during this time that she met and married George Resch, skipper of a U.S. Navy PT boat. Their family grew with the birth of their son, George, Jr., and their daughter, Laura, was born just a few years later.

When her husband’s work brought them to Valdosta, Georgia in 1957, she found the community that would become her home for the next 68 years. Her husband’s illness and death necessitated a return to the workforce that would define her as an independent businesswoman in what was generally viewed as a man’s world at the time. She became manager of Whiddon Moving and Storage in 1964, grew professionally with the company, and became sole owner when she purchased the business in 1985.

Through these years, as her role in the business community grew, her civic and philanthropic involvement grew as well through her support and engagement with organizations focused on education, youth, animals and the arts. The Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta, the Chamber of Commerce, the Business and Professional Women’s organization, The Salvation Army, the Opera Guild, the Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission, Valdosta Dance Theatre and Valdosta State College are just some of the organizations that benefited from her involvement.

She was also involved with the American Cancer Society, Toastmasters International, Town & Country Garden Club, Lowndes County Historical Society and she was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. A lifelong dog owner and rescuer, she also supported the Humane Society of Valdosta-Lowndes County.

She received many accolades and honors through the years and was named the Valdosta Junior Women’s Club Woman of the Year, the Business and Professional Women’s Woman of Achievement, the Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission Woman of the Year and the Boys and Girls Club Woman of the Year.

In her later years, she met and married Charles Hatcher and this marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. She and Charles enjoyed an active social life, ballroom dancing, trips to Amelia Island, fishing at Horseshoe Beach, Florida and many travel adventures during the 20 years they were married until his passing in 2013.

Mrs. Hatcher was preceded in death by her two husbands George Resch Sr. and Charles Hatcher, her parents Charles and Louise Bates Bohm, her daughter Laura O’Neal, her sister Marjorie Winkler, her son-in-law John O’Neal, her stepson Chuck Hatcher, and her stepdaughter Ann (Sandy) Krumm and her husband Richard (Dick).

She is survived by her son George and his wife Jan of Temple Terrace, Florida; grandchildren Jess Resch, her wife Trisha Stever and their children Miles and Parker of St. Petersburg, Florida; Stefanie Caswell, her husband Ben and their children Bradley and Hannah of Tampa, Florida; Kymberly Brophy, her husband Tom and their children Amelia and Olivia of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and John O’Neal Jr., his wife Sharlon and their children Katherine, Kelly and Patrick of Kennesaw, Georgia; stepdaughter-in-law Margie Hatcher of Marietta, Georgia and her children: Claire (Josh) Hardesty and their children JJ and Waylon; Emily (Les) Collins; Will (Leyla) Hatcher and their child Lily, along with other extended family members.

The family wishes to thank the many neighbors, friends, caregivers and others for their cards, visits and uplifting messages over the past few years. Your thoughtfulness and care are greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, those who would like to honor Mrs. Hatcher’s memory, are encouraged to consider a donation to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 800 Gornto Road, Valdosta, Georgia; American Cancer Society; organizations supporting the care and wellbeing of animals; or other charities of choice.

A visitation will take place at Carson McLane Funeral Home, 2215 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, Georgia on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 5-7 pm. A funeral mass will be held at 12 Noon on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at St. John Catholic Church. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be shared at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home