Christine “Doll” Bell Hatley

Christine Bell Hatley, affectionately called “Doll” slept into the Lord’s embrace on Thursday, March 28, 2019, in her eighty-ninth season of life. Her journey began in Beirne, Arkansas on March 2, 1930, when she was born to the union of William and Irene Roberts Bell. Christine was one of 16 children born into the Bell family. The Bell family was a large family that was respected in the Beirne Community.

She was baptized at a tender age and was a life-long member of Shady Grove Baptist Church until its closing. She served as a deaconess, Sunday school teacher, hospitality chair, a choir member and at times the only choir member. She later united with Mt. Canaan Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Johnny Harris and served as a deaconess.

Christine grew up to be an attractive young lady; though shy she warmed up to the tall and handsome Andy Hatley from Burtsell and a true love story began. They were united in Holy Matrimony on Saturday, May 17, 1947. William Bell was happy with his daughter’s decision to settle down, marry and start a family. He gifted them land to build a home and God blessed them with twelve healthy children; carrying on the Hatley and Bell traits of being fruitful and multiplying. The marriage lasted 71 years with ups and downs, good and bad days, as well as, love and laughter. They were inseparable. She savvied at being a supportive wife and a loving mother. She was a firm believer in education and made it her obligation to make sure that her children were educated both in the class, as well as, in the home.

She enjoyed the simple pleasures that life offered. Canning, cooking, and baking were her hallmark hobbies. She loved to dance and often liked to go fishing. She was an avid reader who kept up with the latest current events, but in reading her bible she found peace, love, and understanding.  She was the number one cheerleader of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

There are few things in life that can compare to the allure of a well-dressed, properly-accessorized woman; “Doll’ was that woman. During her 89 seasons of life, she maintained her hair, nails, and skin. Always, impeccably dressed from head to toe, she personified beauty and set the standard for the next generation.

Her life was rewarding with an enduring marriage, full with an abundance of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was blessed to be loved by many. Her sweet spirit, loving nature, and soft voice will never be duplicated but leaves an impression on the lives of those she touched and enriched along this life’s journey. She embodied what it meant to be a virtuous woman.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved Andy, who made his transition on October 25, 2018; her brothers Oscar Bell, John Bell, Wallace Bell, Bernie Bell, J.C. Bell, Henry Bell, Sr., William Bell, and James Bell; her sisters, Lizzie Hunter, Mamie McFarland, Willie Mae Jackson, Mary Snowden, Katie Golden and Gussie M. Kelleybrew who made her transition on Thursday, March 28, 2019.

A lifetime of love and memories will be forever remembered by her children, Charles (Edna) Hatley of Gurdon, Andy (Shirley) Hatley of Russellville, AR, Hazel Irene (James) Fingers of Palestine, AR, Donald (Carolyn) Hatley of Arkadelphia, AR, Larry (Rosetta) Hatley of White Hall, AR, Maurita (Rickey) Macon of Gurdon, AR, SFC (R) Earnestine Hatley of Gurdon, AR, Sandra Hatley of Warren, AR, Col. Marcus (Sandra) Hatley of Sherwood, AR, Katie Hatley of Beirne, AR, Gerald (Tammy) Hatley of Hot Springs, and SGM (R) Gerard Hatley of Ft. Carson, CO; one sister, Maude Echols of Omaha, NE; two brothers-in-law, Leonard Hatley and Fred Hatley.

She also leaves a sweet legacy of twenty-four grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, as well as, a legion of nieces, nephews, and an innumerable number of cousins and several friends.

The family will greet and receive friends Wednesday, April 3, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. A celebration of her life will be shared at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2019, at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia with Rev. A. Lee Tyus officiating and Rev. Johnny Harris, eulogist. Mrs. Hatley will lie in repose one hour prior to the service time.  Interment will be at Shady Grove Cemetery in Beirne, Arkansas.

Active pallbearers will be her grandsons Brannon Hatley, Andy Hatley II, Charles Beard Jr., James Fingers Jr., David Otwell, Sylvester Joe Brewer Jr, Kenard Pegram, Stephen Hatley, Marcus Ray Hatley, II, Allen Michael Tatum, Vince Hatley, Gerard Hatley, II. and her granddaughters, Emily Hatley, Christi Nelson, Monica Hatley, Jessica Rainey, Madison Hatley, Laphenetra Allen, Tisha Hatley, Tonelli Hatley, Lynette Hatley, Laurae Hatley, Destiney Ellis and Olivia Hatley. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Deacon of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, the nephews of the Bell and Hatley Families, Montreal Shields, Lamar Williams and Davids Hawthorne.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that that donations be sent to Mt. Canaan Baptist Church for the Andy and Christine Hatley Memorial Scholarship fund.