Hattie Bell Hockaday

"Fearfully and wonderfully made," (Psalm 139:14) beautiful, elegant, multitalented and a "Master Gardener," Hattie Bell Palmer Hockaday of San Antonio, TX was peacefully "taken to her home on high," February 12, 2025. 86 years "mature," she was the firstborn of five children to the late Annie and John Henry Palmer of Macon, NC. An Air Force spouse with 28 years of packing, moving and unpacking - but which also encased and occasioned a wonderful lifetime of incredible experiences and fond memories including the USAF's ceremonial recognition of her 28 years of "unselfish, faithful and devoted service to the Nation", - she's survived by her husband Al of 64 years; daughter, Abbe; sons Kirk (wife, Paula) and Shawn; grandson, Daryl A; five great grand-children; and a host of relatives and friends.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For she is worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve and never has reason to regret it. Strength and honor are her clothing. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her" - - Proverbs 31.

In so many ways, Hattie Hockaday fitted the description of the woman that Proverbs 31 describes and considers as virtuous. To this day, her children abound in love and respect for their parents and in the same for each other. She nurtured such an atmosphere. For all of her children, she was their den mother and scout leader. Also, for eight of daughter Abbe's nine job moves, her Mom was there at the new house to support, comfort and "direct" the unpacking and placement traffic. She accompanied her on Abbe's "celebrity" whirlwind Leadership Georgia travel. While stationed at Hickam AFB in HI, Hattie chauffeured son Shawn (to and from) Honolulu Boy choir practices for three years Also, while stationed at Maxwell AFB, AL, she chauffeured him and his classmate to and from their high school for four years. With her son Kirk, she and he were "new food tasting mates" and traveling "buddies" to several East coast Family and high school reunions. She would acquire the places for en route and returning RON accommodations, supply the refreshments, keep the driver alert, do some of the driving, keep the conversation flowing and assist with keeping the "music on." Obviously, all of these occasions provided and enhanced special "bonding opportunities" for Mom and her "kids. However, Hattie could and would also demonstrate tough love, independent thinking and being steadfast - as she discerned the need.

Hattie was quite also varied in her endeavors, multifaceted in her interests, multitalented in her abilities, an avid reader and generous to needy causes. So, she took seriously, "where there is a human in need, there is any opportunity for kindness. So, make a difference." In fact, she was known for her generosity of time, money, talent and energy to a variety of needy and worthwhile causes. So, as a "master gardener," she literally and figuratively personified "bloom where you're planted" - no matter the soil, the circumstances or the occasion. Born on a farm in Macon, NC, the formation of her character was genetically and environmentally shaped and honed by parents who "talked and walked with God."

So, this collage of her "character traits" did not occur by chance, accidentally or good luck. Instead, it resulted from some very conscious and deliberate choices (all underpropped by the grace of God) she made throughout her life. Namely, "Bloom where you're planted" and "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might," albeit the circumstances.

After graduation from high school, Hattie entered Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. Surprising to her, at her first chapel service, she met sophomore Al Hockaday - her "predestined" husband for 64 years of wedding anniversaries. Gladly and Praise the Lord - Abbe, Kirk and Shawn - your Dad wisely and joyfully walked your Mom back to her dorm that evening after the chapel service. When you think of it, Hattie and Al were married most of their lives! WOW!

Following her graduation with a BA degree in Business Education, she joined her husband Al (he had graduated from Shaw University the previous year) who had been teaching in high school for year and had now been admitted for enrollment at Yale University in New Haven, CT. Well, here's what happened, as Hattie had played a pivotal role. Being "at the right place at the right time" Hattie had facilitated his receiving a four-year "contingent" Rockefeller Fellowship to matriculate at Yale, "if admitted" and to earn two degrees. It worked! "Wonder Woman" had struck again!

Although not teaching business education, as she had been educated and hoped to do so, she was employed in a business establishment and excelled. The next year, their first child Abbe was born at Yale. Being new parents was both rewarding and challenging for them. Realizing the great importance of parental presence and nurture in the lives of children (two more children were born - Kirk in New Haven, CT and Shawn in San Antonio, TX), Hattie put on hold her teaching business career aspirations to remain at home with their children.

While seeing the importance of being at home parenting, Hattie embarked on her rather remarkable Plan

B - "Bloom where you're planted" -and she did! Since she was now an Air Force spouse, she'd later bloom and plant gardens around their world of bases stationed. As she engaged in this way of thinking, being and doing, she did some incredible things wherever they moved and lived - on bases in the USA and overseas.

In doing so, Hattie created and engaged in a number of successful business enterprises, traveled widely and much, served the Presbyterian Church in several national and local church leadership capacities (among them Session Member at Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Council on Chaplains and Service Personnel), engaged in several teaching and educational opportunities, facilitated the Air Force Chaplain Service activities wherever they were stationed, had a part-time job and found the time to be active in various military, social and religious organizations along the way. As for her traveling, perhaps nothing pleased her more than traveling with and to Abbe, Kirk and Shawn or to visit relatives and friends! In each case, it was - "A great time was had by all!"

So, as one writer says, "Flowers can bloom and thrive in a variety of circumstances -likewise our lives are full of challenges and triumphs, easy times and hard ones, but can thrive even difficult conditions. Make most of your life experiences and enjoy the journey." Indeed, Hattie was enabled to do just that and for that enabling, we give thanks to God!

In lieu of flowers, "Master Gardener" Hattie would be pleased to have you contribute to helping the also

"fearfully and wonderfully made" children too at the Presbyterian Children Home and Services, 6355 Whitby Road, San Antonio, TX, 78240 to "bloom where they're planted."

Visitation - Friday, February 28, 2025, 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Porter Loring North, 2102 N Loop 1604 E.

Funeral Service - Saturday, March 1, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at the Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church, 16245 Nacogdoches Rd;

Interment will take place Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Wurzbach Rd.

Please click here to view a video of the service. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VS3sChTwJBD3FoE5xYQOnMSVHOMrNf0s/view?usp=sharing