Virginia Banks Hatfield

Addie Virginia (Ginger) Banks Hatfield departed this world to be at home with Jesus on December 30, 2012. She was born in Rusk Texas on June 14, 1925 to Edgar Banks and Beatrice Spain Banks. She attended public schools in Rusk and went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree from Mary Hardin Baylor University in Belton, Texas. She later attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where she earned her Master of Religious Education Degree. While attending the seminary she met her future husband, A. Benjamin Hatfield. They were married on June 8, 1947. While her husband pursued additional education, Ginger, who was gifted with many skills, served as secretary to the president of Clarke Memorial College and Mississippi College. Mrs. Hatfield served her LORD faithfully as a pastor’s wife with Rev. Hatfield for over 60 years. This included pastorates in Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia, with the final pastorate being for 26 years at the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta, Georgia. She was deeply loved by the congregations she and her husband served. She was an effective Bible teacher and a passionate Christian witness. She displayed a genuine Christian love and hospitality to all who visited their home…and there were many. Mrs. Hatfield had a deep commitment to the cause of Christ through world missions. Before her marriage she served as a missionary in southern Louisiana under the auspices of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Following Rev. Hatfield’s retirement from the active pastorate, she served with him in several interim pastorates in North Georgia churches and also in International Baptist Churches in Korea, Okinawa, Hungary and Germany through the auspices of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In October 2010, Rev. and Mrs. Hatfield moved to Birmingham, Alabama to be closer to their son and family. Mrs. Hatfield is survived by her husband, Rev. A. Benjamin Hatfield, one son, Dr. Robert Benjamin Hatfield, Sr. and his wife Polly, one granddaughter, Kimberly Beam and husband Matthew, one grandson, Rev. Robert Benjamin Hatfield, Jr. and his wife Laurie and four great-grandchildren Madeline and Lucy Beam and Alex and Brett Hatfield. She is also survived by one sister Margie Williamson and her husband Joe and one sister-in-law, Bonnie Banks, and a number of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors in Roswell on January 1, 2013 from 3:00-6:00pm. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 2:00pm at the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta, Georgia. Officiating ministers will be Rev. Joe Vernon, Rev. Jeff Hawkins, Rev. Vince Whittington and Rev. Rob Hatfield. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions through the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta, Georgia. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, Roswell, GA. 770-645-1414. www.northsidechapel.com

Virginia Banks Hatfield

June 14, 1925 - December 30, 2012