ERNEST D. HATFIELD

Ernest Dexter Hatfield, 83, husband of Rosa Weldon Hatfield, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, at his home.

Born in Florence, he was a son of the late Lucian H. and Ruth McPherson Hatfield. A charter member of First Southern Methodist Church, Hatfield served on the church's board of stewards, the board of trustees and as Sunday school superintendent, and was also a member of the men's club, choir and Young at Heart. He was a World War II veteran and former member of the American Legion Post. 15. He worked for Kneece Tractor Co. of Sumter and later Butler Implement Co. of Orangeburg.

Survivors besides his wife of the home include a daughter, Paula Hatfield Gardner of Sumter; a son, Ernest D. Hatfield Jr. (Cathy) of Snellville, Ga.; a grandson, Steven E. Hatfield of Atlanta; three granddaughters, Heather Burton (Daniel) of Charleston, Sarah Eunice (Don) of Elgin and Whitney Lambert of Sumter; a great-granddaughter, Isabella Burton of Charleston; three sisters, Kathryn Godwin, Eleanor Nesbitt and Sylvia Richburg, all of Sumter; and three brothers, Roger Hatfield, Mack Hatfield and Jimmy Hatfield, all of Sumter.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Herbert Hatfield, Sidney Hatfield and Jerry Hatfield; and three sisters, Faye Brown Wilson, Willie "Bill" Poulos and Barbara Jean Hatfield.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at the funeral home with the Rev. Ellison Evans and the Rev. Brett DeYoung officiating. Burial was held at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Steven Hatfield, Daniel Burton, Larry Deas, Ronnie Weldon, Barry Hatfield, Burt Hatfield and Timothy Godwin served as pallbearers.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the caregivers of Heartstrings Hospice of Columbia.

Memorials may be made to First Southern Methodist Church, 321 Miller Road, Sumter, SC 29150.

Online condolences may be posted at www.sumterfunerals.com.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, handled arrangements.