Lottie Mai Belcher Hunter

Nashville, TN

Age 86, May 15, 1927 - February 25, 2014. Preceded in death by husband, Herman Hunter; and son, Philip Hunter.

Survived by daughter, Nancy Hunter (Donna Gilley); son, Roger Hunter; grandson, Ben Hunter; and many devoted nieces and nephews for whom she has served as family matriarch and surrogate mother for decades.

Her defining trait can best be summed up in the words of her mentally-challenged brother-in-law, "Lottie's sweet." She is also the strongest person most of us will ever have the privilege of knowing. From the grade-school child who, barefooted, stomped a snake to death because it frightened her little brother, to the mother who, in her mid-70s, drove 1000 miles to be at her ailing son's bedside, to the 85-year-old grandmother who waged an all-out war on ovarian cancer because she wanted to "live to get her grandson grown," she was a fiercely-devoted mother to all the babies she collected throughout her life. They, in turn, cared for her until the end, especially Donny whose commitment and companionship have brought her such joy over the past year. Love like that is a rare and beautiful thing. She adored her long-time physician, Carl Mitchell, and his staff Lynn and Melissa, and asked explicitly that we thank them publicly for the excellent care they gave to her. They have become like family to us all. She loved to garden and only reluctantly hung up her trowel and stopped mowing her own grass after winning the Smyrna Neighborhood Beautification award a couple of years ago. She was a great country cook and took delight in serving her legendary meat-and-six-or-more every Sunday. She enjoyed and took great pride in her twenty-plus year career at SunTrust Bank's main office, only retiring at age 72 so that she could spend time with her one and only grandchild, Ben. He was the light of her life since the day he entered it. They loved each other a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.

In tribute to her, tend a garden, cook your family a meal, send a flower arrangement, or donate to a charity of your choosing. Whatever you are led to do, do it in the spirit of "Lottie's sweet," and her memory will be honored.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, February 28, 2014, at Woodbine Funeral Home, 3620 Nolensville Road, at 10 a.m. Interment Hermitage Memorial Gardens. Family and friends will serve as Active Pallbearers.

Visitation Thursday 2 - 8 p.m. at Woodbine Funeral Home, Directors 615-832-1948 Still Family Owned - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tennessean/obituary.aspx?n=lottie-mai-belcher-hunter&pid=169878817&fhid=14296#sthash.1IMFbjib.dpuf