Deacon Luddie Hatten Sr.

Luddie Hatten, Sr., loved and known by many, was born on November 7, 1930, in Tuskegee, Alabama to Dave and Lula Bell Hatten. As a child, he lived with his grandmother on a farm in Tuskegee, where he and his family worked for long hours as sharecroppers. Later, he moved to live with his mother in Birmingham, where he attended Lincoln Elementary and Parker High School. Luddie ran track and played softball, going on to play in the Birmingham Industrial Softball League. In the 50s, he moved his family to Columbus, Ohio and continued playing ball for his new employer, Keever Starch Company, where he worked for 27 years. After Keever, he worked for 4 years at Smith Transfer, followed by other employment opportunities throughout the years. He later started his own trucking business and owned several properties in the Stambaugh/Elwood neighborhood, where he was a pillar of the community.  He also worked part-time delivering books for Nationwide Children's Hospital until his retirement. Always ready to do "A Luddie Special," he was a man of many talents, including carpentry, plumbing, sewing, gardening, and fixing dolls with gorilla glue.  He enjoyed studying the Bible, hunting, fishing, traveling, eating, and spending time with family and friends

Affectionately known as Deacon Hatten, Luddie loved God and was a devout Christian, who persisted in his walk with Christ until his death on July 25, 2025.  He was a beloved member of Hosack Street Baptist Church, serving in numerous roles, including but not limited to, Chair of the Deacon Board and the Willie Mae Teague Circle. He taught Sunday school and was a Baptist Training Union teacher. Along with Brother Bolden and Sister Sowards, he regularly led intercessory prayer.  He was also a member of the Laymen's League, The Hosack United Brothers and a faithful servant-leader to his fellow congregants. Outside the church, Luddie volunteered as a Big Brother and Cub Scout Leader, always striving to be Christ-like in his daily life, mentoring and ministering to others.

Luddie was a devoted family man, who God blessed with a large family. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and sister, Patricia Goldsmith, as well as his first wife, Geneva Hatten and their first daughter, Linda Jean Hatten.  His daughter, Gwendolyn Atkins, son, Gene Johnson, and sister-in-law, Myrtle Ogletree also preceded him in death. 

After the loss of his wife, Geneva, Luddie was blessed with a new blended family when he married Jerrie Hatten, his beloved wife of 30 years. He is survived by her and his children, Luddie (Gail) Hatten Jr.; Sylvia (Odis) Parker Jr.; Julius (Sandra) McIntyre Jr.; Lakesia Johnson and Sally (Ron) Ogletree. He is also mourned by his grandchildren: Odis (Knasarae) Parker III, O’Nise Parker, Brianna (Oscar) Linares, Zakai Johnson, Mia Johnson and his great grandson, Jack K. Parker. Luddie also leaves behind his brothers, Johnniell (Annia) Moore and Eddie Harris, his nephew, Alan Moore, his brother-in-law, Eddie Tensley and his nieces: Joann Drake, Tahira Waters, Sakinah Williams, Tatianna Fete and Kimora James. He is also survived by his goddaughter, Cherraun Goff, as well as his sisters-in-law Kathryn, Grace, and Mary Ogletree. 

Luddie leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and adopted family members in Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Delaware, Los Angeles, Memphis, Orlando, Tuskegee, and Washington D.C., all of whom we regret not being able to list here. He prayed daily for his family members near and far, keeping them close in his heart and mind. His immediate family is especially grateful for the support they received over the past few months from Tom and Nadine Lewis, Deacon Jeffrey Parker, Sheila and Donley Kidd, Shannon Wiestling, and members of The Hosack United Brothers.

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