Shirley Ray Hatcher

Shirley Ray Hatcher, 80, died July 1, 2015. Born in Beeville, Texas on January 23, 1935 to Clarence and Jewel Roberts, she was one of eight children. Shirley loved life and had a deep abiding faith. As a devoted Christian, she was a member of the First Christian Church in Mission, Texas for over 50 years and more recently worshipped with Coker United Methodist Church in San Antonio. She served God in many ways, from arranging socials and flowers to teaching Sunday school and serving on District and Area Committees. Shirley valued education and graduated Summa Cum Laude at age 32 from Pan American University. She shared her love of learning and reading with students as a teacher and school librarian for 26 years. She had a great sense of humor and loved sharing the Sunday comics with her grand and great-grandchildren. Shirley loved her family, friends, good food and interesting places. She was always ready to help a friend, offer pragmatic advice and share a plant cutting or new seedling from her garden. She was loved and blessed! Shirley is survived by her husband of 62 years, Milton (Buddy) Hatcher; brother, Melvin Roberts; sister, Isla Faye Marion; children, Sherry Hatcher (Luis de la Garza), Joy Nied (Michael), Milton Raymond (Ray) Hatcher II (Shanna), and daughter in Christ Aku Akin; grandchildren: Dr. Miguel de la Garza, Dr. Gabriel de la Garza, Lucas de la Garza, Skylar Plunkett, Alexandra Nied Townsend, and Kennedy Hatcher; and six great-grandchildren. As a Master Gardener, Shirley's love of plants extends to her final request: In lieu of flowers, please plant something somewhere in her memory! A Celebration of Shirley's life will be held 10:00 am, Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Coker United Methodist Church, 231 East North Loop Rd, San Antonio TX.