James Reed Hathcock was born on a cold winter day on January 3, 1930 in
Chickasaw County, Mississippi. His father, James Preston Hathcock and Mary
Annie Huffman Hathcock welcomed their first born and their only son to their
loving home and their lives were forever changed. The happy home welcomed
five girls, Ruth, Virginia, Betty, Louise and Sybil. Life really got exciting then.
James learned how to do most everything around the home place. He also attended
Egypt High School in Chickasaw County and graduated in 1948. He drove the
school bus in his senior year and helped build a portion of the school during those
years. He was always learning new things and enjoyed the challenges which
usually never got the best of him.
Along with graduating in 1948 he also eloped on May 7, 1948 and married his 16
year old bride, Miss Winnie Catherine Gore. The story is that after they were
married when sneaking out of town and while traveling down an old dirt they met
James' new mother-in-law. She promptly made a U-turn and gave chase. James
had no choice but to pull that old 1940 Ford vehicle over and face the wrath of
Mama Gore. Sadly their first night as man and wife was with Mama Gore. As
years went by they learned to laugh about their wedding day and the story got a
little more interesting with each rendition.
James and Winnie Catherine made their home in Houston, Mississippi. Their son,
James D. "Jimmy" Hathcock was born in Houston. During those years James
worked on the Mississippi River. A few years after Jimmy was born they moved to
Memphis, Tennessee where Barry D. Hathcock was born. James began to work for
the Memphis Fire Department and retired after over 25 years of service as a
Captain of the Memphis Fire Department. During those years he also was the best
"shade tree" mechanic in the city. He loved his work, he loved his family and he
loved his church, the Nazarene Church and served the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully
all of his years. His life touched so many and changed the lives of those who knew
him. But James and Winnie Catherine had one more adventure before them. They
began opening their home to foster children where they loved and cared for several
children over the years But two wonderful blessings came into their lives. Melissa
and Melinda came to their home when they were 2 years old and they never left.
When the girls were 12 years old they officially received the name Hathcock when
they were adopted by the Hathcock family.
After James retired from the Fire Department he and Winnie Catherine moved to
Candlewood Lakes in Middleton, Tennessee and learned to love the area and their
new friends.
Their new special place of service was Porter's Creek Baptist Church. They made
new friends and lasting memories as they served in this church until they moved to
West Point,, MS and became right at home at the Calvary Baptist Church.
It is not easy to describe the life of one who was always there whenever we called,
always busy helping and doing for so many, and always faithful to his family and
His Savior. He just did what was set before him. Saw it as his duty. Never
expected or really received too much glory for the every day tasks but he always
came to the rescue for whoever called. He saved countless lives while working on
the Fire Department. James' biggest rescue was a little 16 year old young lady
from Houston, Mississippi. He gave her a life of love and adventure. Their four
married children gave them 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Their
life together lasted almost 70 years.
James "Pop" Hathcock was a man's man. There wasn't anything he wouldn't try
and there wasn't too much he couldn't do. He was once asked by his son, Barry,
"Pop, how is it that you can do almost anything?" Pop's reply, "Well, I guess I've
never been afraid to try!"
That pretty much sums up Pop's life. He was never afraid to try and therefore even
til the end….he lived a full, faithful life! He trusted the LORD and now we are
sure he is enjoying his well deserved rest. The only reason he is resting now is
because heaven is perfect and nothing is broken so nothing needs fixin' there!!