Joan Hatmaker

Joan Harville Hatmaker, age 75 of Christmas, passed away on March 12, 2013 at her residence. She was born on August 03, 1937 in Baxter, Kentucky to Lula Newby and Don Harville.

Joan was primarily raised in Tazewell, Tennessee on Cedar Fork Road. As a child and teenager she attended Cedar Fork Baptist Church every Sunday. She was saved by her Lord and Savior at the age of 9.

Joan married Bob Hatmaker who was from Wallins Creek, Kentucky. They moved to the Orlando area in 1958 then moved to Christmas and lived there for 45 years. They had three sons, Robert, Don, and Danny. She was devoted her life to Jesus Christ, her husband, three children, and two grandchildren.

Joan loved to raise hogs, horses, chickens, turkey, and dogs. Another great passion for Joan was her vegetable garden. She was a Sunday school teacher, Boy Scout leader and and loved her country. She was a supporter, then president, and treasurer of the Woman's Club in Christmas. She was a teacher's aide in the Orange County Public School system for 28 years and loved working with children who were handicapped. Her illness forced her to retire.

Joan was a survivor and struggled with her illness for 30 years. She was able to help take care of one of her grandchildren for a period of time until her illness overcame her health and she became dependent on help and wheel chair bound. She continued to attend church at Fort Christmas Baptist Church.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Lula and Don, her son Don, and a brother who died at a young age.

Joan is survived by her loving husband Robert Phillip Hatmaker;
two sons, Danny and Robert Hatmaker; two grandchildren Cody Ray and Hunter Lee Hatmaker; a sister Dorothy Vernon; and a brother Don Harville.

May Joan rest in peace in God's Paradise.