Matushka Jean Elizabeth Hattle, wife of Deacon George Hattle, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord in Rapid City, SD on the the morning of October 20, 2020.
She was born in Greensboro in 1939 to the late Dr. Herbert Hammond Ogburn and Robbie Eugenia “Bobbie Gene” Ogburn. Matushka was good with words, read extensively, loved to dance, taught Latin, peppered shorthand into her notes to friends and family, and always looked forward to traveling and living in the next new place.
Matushka Elizabeth always loved God from her childhood and that carried through her entire life. She drew strength from God, faithfully serving Him and supporting His work. She was conscientious, held fast to her convictions, and was known to give wise, poignant advice when one least expected it.
She was a committed and faithful Orthodox Christian and attended Orthodox parishes in FL, GA, and NC. She and her husband, Deacon George, were founding members of Holy Cross Orthodox Church in High Point, NC and Matushka was the reason so many new faces felt so welcome at church. Matushka greeted every new person with joy and a smile on her face and said that every new person who walked through the door of the church was a true miracle. She kept her humor until the end and felt she had been given a good life.
She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Deacon George Robert Hattle, her daughter Susan Lanier Anderson (husband Deacon Edward), son John Robert Hattle (wife Yola), and daughter Laura Jean “Lolly” Hattle. She is also survived by her grandchildren George Robert Anderson (wife Genevieve Elan), Elizabeth Hargrave (husband Christopher), Thomas Anderson, Anna Hattle, Edmund Hattle, Andrew Hattle, Kathleen Chavis, Elizabeth Kowalcheck (husband Nicholas); her great-grandchildren Seraphima, Basil, Dmitri, Anslie, Edmée, and her sister, Sally Ogburn Houck.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM October 30 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, in Winston-Salem, NC. A Panikhida will be served at 7:00 PM. The Funeral Service will be at 10:00 AM on October 31 at the same location, followed immediately by the burial at Eastlawn Gardens of Memory in Kernersville, NC.
Matushka’s family welcomes friends and family to attend the funeral and burial. In order to accommodate everyone safely, they kindly request (and the church requires) that those attending wear masks and follow social distancing guides in the sanctuary and at the graveside. There will be no meal following the service, but memorial meals by household are certainly encouraged. The family is sorry to miss the fellowship and thanks everyone for joining them for the services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the building fund, or the alms fund of Holy Cross Orthodox Church, in High Point, NC an effort very near and dear to Matushka Elizabeth.
May Matushka Elizabeth’s memory be eternal!