Obituary of Dora Lee Hatcher

Obituary

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Dora Lee Sims Hatcher, daughter of Neater Taylor Sims and Aaron Garfield Sims, was born on January 14, 1950, in Cumberland, Virginia. She was reared in a loving, Christian home with five sisters, her parents, and grandparents. Dora accepted Christ at an early age and joined Tearwallet Baptist Church, which she continued to support financially until her passing. She graduated from Luther P. Jackson High School in 1968. After graduation, Dora relocated to New Jersey and joined Abyssinia Baptist Church where she served faithfully as a member and an usher.

Dora was employed at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in the Dietary Department, the Nuclear Medicine Department in patient transport, and as a recording clerk for the medical staff. She retired after 35 years of service and then worked for the Livingston Elementary School System. Dora had a strong work ethic and strong dedication to her family and friends.

Dora was joined in holy matrimony to Robert Hatcher who preceded her in death, and they provided a loving home for their daughters, Diann Michelle and Sameerah Denise.

Dora was a very kind, jovial, yet serious, and loving person. She enjoyed reading and spending time with her family and friends. She also liked playing cards with friends who preceded her in death, Cynthia, Helena, Anna, Julia, Lester, as well as her beloved niece, Vivian. Although she has been removed from our physical presence, she remains in our hearts and memories.

Our omniscient and loving God, who causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, called a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and loved one to eternal rest. Dora Lee Sims Hatcher answered the Master's call on April 17, 2025, and quietly slipped into eternal rest.

She was preceded in death by, two sisters, Juanita Crump and Nannie Victoria Hatcher.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her mother, Neater Sims of Cumberland, VA; two daughters, Diann Michelle Sims (Harry Ramdath Dookie) of Parsippany, NJ, and Sameerah Hatcher Ajayi (Abiodun Emmanuel) of Orange, NJ; grandchildren, Donovan (Maria) of VA, Kayla, Jasmine Sampong, Aiden Dookie, and Ava Ajayi of NJ; two great-grandchildren, Samuel and Xiomara Hatcher of VA; three sisters, Dorothy Cosby (Garry), Linda Sims, and Sherry Sims of Cumberland, VA; one sister-in-law, Alice Manns of Newport News, VA; three very close friends, Renee Cassett and Geraldine Farrar of Cumberland, VA, and Clarice Harrell of Maplewood, NJ; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

Affectionately known as "Buck" to some family members and friends, she will be greatly missed and remembered as an outgoing, hard-working, kind-hearted, and loving person who was eager to help. To us, she is gone too soon, yet we humbly bow to an all wise and knowing God.

We Thought of You Today

We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday and days! before that too.

We think of you in silence. We often speak! your name.

All we have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake with which we'll never part.

God has you in his keeping, and we have you in our heart.

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be

so, He put His arms around you and whispered, "Come to Me."

With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away

and although we love you dearly, we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.

~ Frances and Kathleen Coelho

Acknowledgements

The family extends its sincerest gratitude for all expressions of Kindness and comfort show during this time of bereavement.