Rev. Myrtle Frances Hatcher, 72, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 8, 2018. She was the daughter of the late June D. and Rufus Cooper. She was predeceased by her son, John Johnson.

Pastor Myrtle is survived by her husband, John G. Hatcher Jr.; sister, Angel Cooper, of Staunton; daughter-in-law, Marie Johnson; and five grandchildren.

Pastor Myrtle has served the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church for 33 years.  Currently, she had served for seven years as the minister of Main Street United Methodist Church. Prior to her service at Main Street UMC, she served as the district superintendent of the Peninsula District for the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church and served as the pastor of Norfolk United Methodist Church in Norfolk, Galilee United Methodist Church in Edwardsville and St. James United Methodist Church in Hampton.

She was active in her community and was a founding board member of CAPS, Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434, by the Rev. Dr. Rob Colwell. She will be open for viewing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk VA 23434.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to CAPS, 157 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434 or to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerFh.com.