Rev. James Bowman Hatcher

Reverend James Bowman Hatcher, age 86, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2026.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm Friday, June 12, 2026, and from 1 to 3 pm Saturday prior to the service, at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel with interment to follow at Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Lula.

James Bowman Hatcher was born September 12, 1939, to Elder and Cassie Hatcher. He was the oldest and last surviving of ten siblings. He is survived by and married to the love of his life, for sixty-five years, Betty Abernathy Hatcher; their son, James Kyle Hatcher; sisters-in-law Elaine (Ken) Barrett and Peggy (Royce) Head, as well as a number of special nieces and nephews, and many special friends.

 He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Paul, Alvin (Brenda), Frankie (Barbara), Larry, and Ricky; sisters Brunice (Gene), Eunice, Iris, and Elaine; sisters in law Dot (JW) Wade, and Joann (Carl) Sullens.

He was employed by Coca Cola for thirteen years. He dedicated his life to the most important thing- the Gospel mission. He helped to establish Liberty Baptist Church (Lula, GA) in 1967. He attended Tennessee Temple in Chattanooga, Tennessee for three years, then graduated from Gwinnett Hall Bible College.

 In 1973 he started Camp Liberty Youth Camp (Lula, GA) and saw many young people come to know the Lord! He established Hillcrest Baptist Church in 1986 and pastored there until his health began to decline. While pastoring, he was the Renovation Manager at Northeast Georgia Medical Center for twenty years. After retirement he was a volunteer chaplain at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

In 1991, he, along with Brother Lewis Lord, followed the call of God in the creation, operation, vision, direction, and guidance as Founder and President of the Gainesville Baptist College and Seminary (Clermont, GA), which continues to thrive today. He received an honorary Doctorate degree from the college in 2025.

He fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith!

 Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com  

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