Brenda Gail Busby Hatcher

Mrs. Brenda Gail Busby Hatcher, 78, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee.

Brenda was born in Spartanburg, SC on December 20, 1942, daughter of the late Oscar Lee Busby and Fenora Eugenia Jones Busby. A Baptist by faith, the Busby family worshipped at First Baptist Church. She was a 1961 graduate of Elbert County High School where she was a cheerleader all four years, and was also 1961 Miss Blue Devil. Brenda was also a basketball player and served as all state guard her senior year.

She furthered her education at Lander College for one year prior to transferring to the University of Georgia, from which she graduated with a Bachelors of Art Education. Brenda then moved to Charlotte, NC where she taught for one year before moving to Bogotá, Colombia. Upon her return to the States, she settled in Atlanta, GA where she taught in the inner-city school system for 7 years. In 1975, Brenda relocated to Thomasville, GA where she taught at Brookwood School until her retirement in 1983. During her tenure at Brookwood, she was selected STAR teacher by a senior with the highest SAT score. Brenda’s humor and patience made her popular class fun and easy going as well as productive. One of the favorite memories of her career was in 1979 when she accompanied a group of students on an extended trip to Europe. Wherever she taught, Brenda was always a valued colleague and friend.

She is survived by her siblings: Jack and Linda Busby, Judy Blackmon, and Becky and Tony Roberts, all of Elberton, GA; nieces and nephews: Chad and Candy Blackmon, Brook and Todd Jarvis, Jenny and Scott Ridgway, Luke Howe, Paige and Chip Knowles, Brett Howe, and Jill and Alex Beal; and step-children: Mike and Jamie Hatcher, Kimberly Hatcher Case, and Greg and Gina Hatcher.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 23 years, Billy Dee Hatcher; and brother-in-law, Larry Blackmon.

Memorial services celebrating Brenda’s life will be held on Sunday, July 25, at 2:30p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home with the Rev. Tim Adams officiating. The family will greet friends immediately following the service. Inurnment will be beside her father at Forest Hills Memorial Park.

Flowers are accepted; contributions may be made in her memory to Friends Helping Friends Foundation, 1027 Micfliff Drive, Elberton, GA 30635 or to First Baptist Church Ramp Ministry, 132 Heard Street, Elberton, GA 30635.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Brenda Gail Busby Hatcher.