Joel Milton Hatchell

Joel Milton “Hatch” Hatchell, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, pilot, computer geek, Marine, and child of God, passed away peacefully at the age of 101 on Friday, March 6, 2026. He was born October 1, 1924, in Denham Springs, Louisiana. Hatch is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 79 years, Yvonne Miller “Tot” Hatchell, and his parents, Joel Morris and Irma Heard Hatchell.

Hatch and Tot were married on May 4, 1945, following his return from deployment to the Russell Islands in the Pacific during World War II. After Hatch's discharge, they made their home in Denham Springs and welcomed their three children. In 1958, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and remained there until retiring to Young Harris, Georgia, in 1997. Although they had moved away, Tot and Hatch frequently returned to Denham Springs to visit their close-knit family.

Throughout his long and fulfilling life, Hatch was fascinated with how things worked. During his school years, he built model airplanes. As a young man, he raced power boats. As an adult, you could find him in the garage working on a car engine, or up in the air flying. His ultimate dream was realized when he earned his pilot license to fly gliders and airplanes. Hatch spent his career with the Federal Aviation Administration and was one of 12 selected to develop the first computer system to automatically track airplanes flying into and out of airports in the U.S.

Hatch is survived by his children, Carol Crossley McMorris of Blairsville, GA, Maurice Hatchell and wife Beth of Marietta, GA, and Glen Hatchell and wife Kelly of Tampa, FL. He was "Grandpa" to seven grandchildren, Kelly Crossley, Cassie Crossley, Suzie Fish, Marley Hopper, Kyle Hatchell, Britni Haskins, and Keith Hatchell, in addition to ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Annie Leah Hatchell McMorris (Claude) and Irmalene Hatchell Kelly, as well as many nieces and nephews. Throughout his life, Hatch was actively involved in service to his church community. After moving to the Atlanta area, he was a member of Dogwood Hills Baptist Church in East Point, GA (11 yrs.), Heritage Hills Baptist Church in Decatur, GA (23 yrs.), and lastly Blairsville First Baptist Church for the past 27 years. A loyal servant of God, Hatch was dedicated to his church communities and was frequently involved in committees.

Hatch will be remembered as a husband, a family leader, a man of faith, and someone who was always beginning his next project.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in the Rock Chapel at Blairsville First Baptist Church, 296 Blue Ridge St, Blairsville, Georgia 30512, with a reception to immediately follow. An interment service for both Hatch and Tot will be held at Georgia National Cemetery on Monday, April 13, 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate your time to a family in need.

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Joel Milton "Hatch" Hatchell; send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.cochranmcdaniel.com