Rex Anthony Hiatt

Rex Anthony Hiatt passed away peacefully from this life at his home on August 28, 2025. He was born in Meridian, MS, on July 2, 1947, to Annie Marie Ramia Hiatt and Rex Hiatt.

Rex began his career in education, teaching in several school systems in Mississippi and Georgia. He returned to Meridian in 1980 as executive vice president of the Mississippi Jaycees.

During his 22 years of service as Lauderdale County Administrator, Rex oversaw the implementation of the County Unit System of Government, remodeling of the Lauderdale County Courthouse, and the building of the Lauderdale County Jail. Following his retirement, he served as Director of Administration for MS Blood Services.

Rex is a graduate of Central High School in Jackson, MS, and received both his BS and MAE from Mississippi State University.

Rex was a member of Central United Methodist Church. An active member of the Community, he was the Founding Board Chairman of the Meridian/Lauderdale County Boys and Girls Club and received the Medallion Award from the Boys and Girls Club of America. He served in numerous positions of leadership in the United Methodist Church, was the Governor’s appointee to the Pat Harrison Waterway District Board under three Governors, President of the NTS Water Association, President of the Magnolia Lake Estates Homeowners Association, and a member of the Spanish Key Condominium Board of Directors.

Rex and his wife Brenda were avid travelers, visiting sites throughout six of the seven continents. A trip to their seventh continent, Africa, was scheduled just before his illness intervened. He enjoyed many years of boating on the Black Warrior River and walking the beaches of Perdido Key with friends and family. While he enjoyed seeing the world, the true joy of his later life were his two grandchildren, Hardin and Henry. Even in his final days, the sight of them brought a smile to his face.

Rex is survived by his wife of 55 years, Brenda Kimbrough Hiatt; one son, Roy Anthony Hiatt, and his wife Leslie; two grandchildren, Ann Hardin Hiatt and Henry Anthony Hiatt; two sisters, Judy Ann Atchison, and her husband, Richard and Sandra Marie McKell; two brothers, William Howard Hiatt, and his wife, Janet, and Joseph Thomas Hiatt, and his wife, Susan; seven nephews and one niece.

Services honoring his life will begin at 11:30 AM, Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at  Central United Methodist Church with the Reverends Dr. Scott Wright and Chris Bowers officiating. Interment will follow graveside rites at Magnolia cemetery. Pallbearers will be his nephews and niece. The Hiatt Family will receive guests from 10:00 AM until 11:15 AM prior to funeral rites in the church. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Family and friends are encouraged to express online condolences at robertbarhamffh.com.

The Family requests memorials be made as donations to Central United Methodist Church or to a charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.