Mrs. Verna Lee Burrell Hatten

Mrs. Verna Lee Burrell Hatten was born on March 18, 1913 in Columbia, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Adam and Georgia Broom Burrell and the youngest of two brothers, Roy and Lawrence; and three sisters, Raphelia, Jessie and Lula. She departed this life on Sunday, June 29, 2014. Mrs. Hatten was educated in the public schools of Richland County, and gained much wisdom through life experiences. She was employed by the Dixie Cookie Shop, Shandon Pie Shop, Fort Jackson, and retired from the Dreher Meat Packing company. “Aunt Bea”, as she was affectionately known, was raised in a Christian home and accepted the call to serve the Lord at a young age. She joined Cedar Creek AME Church in the late 1930’s. She was the “Mother of the Church”, nurturing and touching the lives of others. The talent of jubilee singing was deeply embedded in her and she was the leader of the Jubilee Choir for more than forty years. Her outreach singing ministry included membership in the ZTCH Choir Union; she served in the capacity as the Chairperson of the Program Committee; she was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society; the Pulpit Aid and the Stewardess Board. This unwavering servant also served as the Superintendent of the Church School for fifty years. Mrs. Verna Lee Burrell Hatten leaves to cherish loving memories; her sister-in-law, Julia A. Burrell; a devoted niece and caregiver, Mildred Burrell; other nieces, Georgia M. Bookert, Bernice Javis, Alice Jasmin, Julia Kelly, Gladys Overton, Jannette (Melvin) Whittemore, Verna Rose-Green, Barbara Burrell, Youtha (Donald) Worthy, Ethel (Rev. Shernard) Burrell-Barnes of Columbia, South Carolina; Loreen Talford, Mary Hayes and Daisy Talford of Great Falls, South Carolina; nephews, Lawrence (Pearl) Burrell, Jr., Frederick (Cheryl) Burrell, Stanley (Sonya) Burrell, all of Columbia, South Carolina, Rafe (Debra) Myers, Jr. of Jenkinsville, South Carolina, William (Magdeline) Talford, Ronald Talford, John Talford and Calvin Talford of Great Falls, South Carolina. She also leaves to cherish precious memories, three generations of additional nieces and nephews; cousins and caring friends, all of whom will miss her dearly. Services will be held 3:00 pm Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Cedar Creek Community Church, with interment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8:00 pm Saturday, July 5, 2014 at Palmer Memorial Chapel. The family request that memorials and condolences be made on their web page @www.palmermemorialchapel.com

Mrs. Verna Lee Burrell Hatten

March 18, 1913 - June 29, 2014