Samuel "Junior" Calvin Hatcher, Jr.

Samuel “Junior” Calvin Hatcher, Jr.

Funeral services for Samuel Hatcher, Jr. will be held Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel at 9:30 AM with Bro. Mike Russell officiating. Burial will be at Enondale Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Samuel Calvin Hatcher (Junior), age 93, of Meridian, was welcomed into his Father’s heavenly home on Wednesday, September 11, a befitting day for a World War II veteran and POW.

While living in Bessemer, Alabama he worked in the coal mines for Tennessee Coal and Iron. He moved his family to Meridian in December, 1963 and then to Lauderdale in 1966 where he followed in his father’s footsteps as a self-employed automobile mechanic. He continued to work full time until the age of 90 and part-time until his death.

He served as a Volunteer Fireman for the Lauderdale Fire and Rescue for over 22 years.

At the age of 18, he left his hometown of Enondale, and joined the 87 ^th Infantry Division. Deployed to Europe on October 17, 1944, and marching into the battle areas, the 87 ^th was moving into Germany when the Ardennes Offensive, know as the Battle of the Bulge, was launched by the Germans on December 16, 1944. Fierce fighting broke out and Hatcher was wounded and captured along with only six survivors from his unit. The cruel and inhuman treatment that he endured is beyond imagination.

The awards, displayed in his medal case, received for his service as a combat rifleman and a POW tell the story. Combat Infantry Badge, given to soldiers who fired their weapons during combat; Bronze Star, Purple Heart, POW, Infantry Badge and several others. It is men like this that have fought and died for this country and the freedoms that we enjoy. They deserve our gratitude and respect forever.

A devoted Christian, he dedicated his life to serving his Savior, Jesus Christ and giving Him the glory for his longevity, his family and his friends. He was a faithful member of Briarwood Baptist Church.

Survivors include his children, Deborah “Debbie” Harper Martin and Larry Calvin Hatcher (Cindy Rivers); granddaughter, Hope Harper Webb (Alan); great-grandson, Connor Lenoir Harper Webb; sisters, (twin) Catherine “Sis” Long, Peggy Barnacastle (Curtis), Dorothy “Dot” Keeton Gordan; brothers, Clark Hatcher (Martha) and Ricky Hatcher (Jeri); numerous nieces, nephews, his grand-dog, Izzy and great-grand-dog, Winston; special friends, Greg Cartmell, Francis Chaney and the employees of Lauderdale CEFCO.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Berta Bullock Hatcher; parents, Samuel C. Hatcher and Eva Knight Hatcher; sisters, Verna Lee Hatcher, Eulena Smith, Lucille Hopper, Juanita Patton; brothers, Joseph Henry “Buddy” Hatcher and Arthur “Buck” Hatcher.

Pallbearers will be Billy Hatcher, Larry Muse, Bill McCall, Cliff Clayton, Chase Herring and Jordan Kemp.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Tack Moore, Chris Dulaney, Randy Thompson, Calvin Brown, Ralph Morgan and Ed Sheeley.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 13, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.