Ernest Hatfield

ernest  hatfield
Ernest \"Ernie\" Hatfield died on September 2, 2023. Ernie was born to Floyd and Daryl McCoy Hatfield on April 21, 1936, at Ransom, Kentucky in Pike County. Ernie attended Blackberry Elementary School until 1952 and then attended Belfry High School and graduated in 1956. He was active in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was President of Class for three years and President of the Student Council. Ernie worked at Sears Roebuck & Co in 1955-56. He taught at Blackberry Elementary School in the spring of 1957 and attended Pikeville College from 1957-59 and also worked at the UMWA Hospital in South Williamson, KY in 1957-59. He married a beautiful nurse Gaynor Elaine Young on August 5, 1960, and moved to Lexington, KY in January 1961 where he worked at Parker Seal Company until 1965 as a supervisor in several departments. He then attended Eastern Kentucky University full time from 1961- 1964. A great event happened in our lives on February 14, 1963, when a daughter Kimberly Alaine Hatfield was born. He accepted a job as the executive director of Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass in the summer of 1965. A son, Kevin Todd Hatfield was the second great event when he was born on March 11, 1966. Ernie became the Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lexington in June of 1975. He moved to Danville, Kentucky in 1976. He resided on Chrisman Lane since 1977. Ernie was very happy and proud to be born and grow up in Pike County in Eastern Kentucky. Being the oldest of twelve children provided many opportunities to share love, joy and happiness in a loving and caring setting. School was a great experience because of all the attention and caring support of the faculty and staff. His priorities were God, family, friends, and job. His love of children led to his involvement in little league sports for more than fifty years coaching football, basketball, and baseball. Family activities, church activities, school sports, and civic groups like Rotary, were a great part of Ernie\'s life. Ten years as Executive Director of Junior Achievement provided an opportunity to work with great high school students and business volunteers in teaching several thousand students how to set-up and operate a business. Thirty plus years as volunteer Big Brother and twenty-three years as Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Bluegrass allowed volunteers and staff to be important role models and mentors to single parent children. The saddest day in the life of Ernie was July 11, 1998, when his wife of 37 years and 11 months, Gaynor E. Hatfield, went to heaven. Ernie retired as Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in January 1999. Ernest \"Ernie\" Hatfield was one of the blessed people who had a great family and great friends and was able to work jobs that he loved during his whole life. Any credit for changing programs or lives for the better must go to the great staff and volunteers who cared enough to put their money and time into great programs. He is survived by his wife, Rosie Albright, children; Kimberly Alaine Walls (Jeff) of Danville, James Albright (Nancy), Lenord Albright (Shelley), , grandchildren; Tyler Walls, Kevin Anderson Hatfield, Benjamin Edward Hatfield, Sophia Hatfield, Will Albright, Jack Albright, John Albright, Nicholas Albright (Rachel), Ryan Albright (Rachel), Ashley Stockel, Dana Albright, Tyler Walls (Kendra) and Tiffany Guinn, great grandchildren; Cameron Guinn, Chasity Guinn, Liam Albright, Makenna Walls, Brixson Walls, and Christian Alcorn, sisters, Glada McCoy, Ann Carter (Edward), Rebecca Jean Terrill, brothers; Floyd Hatfield, Jr. (Bethel), Hank Hatfield, Ance Hatfield (Laketa), Luke Hatfield (Jan), Tom Hatfield (Kathy A.), and Bill Hatfield (Kathy L.), and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his son Kevin Todd Hatfield, sister, Agnes Reister (Bob) and brother, James P. Hatfield. Private family services were held. Private family services were held.

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  1. Glada & family, I’m so sorry to learn of Ernie’s passing. He was certainly an important & active part of our class of ‘56 at Belfry High School. With special memories of those fun years we shared. You are in my thoughts & prayers. Sincerely, Nancy Brinkley Scott


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