Flavil Ragan Hatcher, a lifetime Fayetteville resident and inspirational biology teacher (who was better known to all her students as Mother Nature), entered into Heaven on Nov. 5, 2024.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home with the Rev. Allen Black officiating. Burial followed in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Hatcher was born in Walnut Grove, Alabama, and moved to her generational family farm in Tullahoma, Tennessee, in a house built by her grandfather. Her love of nature and biology began on this home place. Her favorite memory was of her and her father staying up late into the night looking at the stars. She graduated from Tullahoma High School in 1948 with a multitude of accolades. Mrs. Hatcher played basketball for four years, was elected to Girls State, was the sports editor of the annual, played tennis, sang in the Glee Club, and participated in countless other extracurricular activities.

She proceeded to attend MTSU after high school graduation and graduated with a biology degree from MTSU, where she was the homecoming queen her senior year. She was very proud of the fact she was chosen to be the assistant biologist for Dr. Parchment, the head of the biology department at MTSU. Mrs. Hatcher was also elected to the prestigious “Who’s Who” organization of college students. It was at MTSU that she met the love of her life, Dr. Bill Hatcher. They were married in Tullahoma on Dec. 26, 1953. After teaching and living in Memphis while Dr. Hatcher completed dental school, they moved to Fayetteville. She taught in the Fayetteville School System at Ralph Askins school (Charlie Bagley school) and moved quickly to a job she absolutely loved at Fayetteville Junior High.

Mrs. Hatcher will be most remembered for establishing the Fayetteville City Schools Outdoor Environmental Center at Fayetteville Junior High for which she won several State of Tennessee awards and local accolades. The environmental center was the first of its kind. She also started the recycling program in Fayetteville before recycling was even popular. The lives she touched in the classroom, inspired students who became doctors, nurses, teachers, and many more who will forever express their gratitude for having her in class. She was always there for any child who struggled or was bullied, encouraging and believing in them to achieve their dreams.

Mrs. Hatcher stayed in her beloved home she and her husband built in 1963 until her death. Her favorite place on earth was her outside carport with her birds, squirrels, plants, hummingbirds, fox, opossum, and many other creatures. Her carport was enjoyed by many for visiting, and a place of rest and inspiration.

Mrs. Hatcher was also involved in numerous organizations. She served as president of the Retired Teaching Association for many years. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa club, Junior Round Dozen, Rotary-Ann’s, and served on the Fayetteville School Board, Rose Hill Cemetery Board, and Foster Review Board for foster children. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, where she served as a Stephen minister, director of the Children’s Church program, Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, Noteables, and The Friendship group, which visited nursing homes. Her gorgeous tree-filled yard was also used many a year for the annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt.

She is proceeded in death by her husband, Dr. Bill Hatcher; sister, Nahn Laughmiller; and brother, Carl Bailey Ragan Jr. Mrs. Hatcher is survived by her four children, Beth (Rod) Davis, Bea (Joe) Fowler, Billy (Ann) Hatcher, and Rebecca (Brad) Fly, as well as 11 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

The influence and legacy of Mrs. Hatcher will live on through her former students, children, friends, caregivers, and grandchildren. She truly believed you can change the world, one child at a time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Flavil R Hatcher Environmental Center Memorial Fund which will be used to place a memorial plague at the site of the Environmental Center, and also for college scholarships for students from Lincoln County. Donations may be sent to: Flavil R Hatcher Environmental Center Memorial Fund c/o: Lincoln County Bank, 307 College St E., Fayetteville, TN 37334 or The World Wildlife Federation @ worldwildlife.org

Pallbearers were her grandsons, Taylor Fly, Jordan Fly, Aaron Fly, Joseph Fowler, Grant Fowler and Bond Hatcher. Honorary pallbearers were Tim Ellis, Keith Ellis, Doug Watt, Bob Farrar and Ron Perrin.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Flavil Ragan Hatcher.