Denise Hatfield
1953 – 2021
Denise Hatfield, 68, of Edmond, was received by our Lord on October 20, 2021. Denise was born to Gene and Arlene Bath on August 23, 1953, in Liberal, KS. Both parents preceded her in death, with her mother in 1997 and her father in 2009. Her family moved from Kansas to Edmond, OK in 1969 and she graduated from Edmond Memorial High School in 1971. During those 2 years in high school, she played clarinet in the school marching band.
After graduation, Denise worked at Edmond Hospital in food service and an insurance agency in Oklahoma City. On August 3, 1973, she married David Hatfield. She continued working until May 1975 when she and David moved to Albuquerque, NM with David's new job.
It was during those 19 months in New Mexico, she enjoyed new family members, new friends, a loving church family, and a small loosening of her family cords. In October 1976, she and David were blessed with their first child, Jason. In January 1977, due to unforeseen financial circumstances, the family returned to Edmond where they lived for a short time with Denise's family.
With David working in the financial field, it allowed Denise the ability to stay home. In December of 1979, the family was blessed with their second child, Tiffany, who was born on Christmas Eve. With 2 children at home, she became the consummate mother and homemaker.
In 1983 Denise and David purchased their first and current house in Edmond where she set up a loving and caring home and welcomed anyone who entered. When Jason reached middle school age, it was then she re-entered the work force as a food service worker for Edmond Public Schools at Sequoyah Middle School. She was able to not only watch her own children at lunchtime but to also display a special care and concern for the students who perhaps needed her as a second mother figure.
For over 25 years, Denise spent her time serving middle school and elementary children until she suffered a debilitating T.I.A in February 2014. She was forced to leave her career in August and joined her husband in the ranks or retirement It was in March 2016, she received the diagnosis she feared that took her father's life…Alzheimer's/Dementia.
Denise loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved working in the yard, pulling weeds, taking care of plants, or "helping" David with mowing the lawn. She loved to bake and cook and made a tradition of serving homemade crepes on New Year's Day for the family. One of her specialties, though, was to bake pumpkin cookies for David's father and anyone else in the family.
Although the last 5 years of her life was burdened by the devastating effects of the disease, she was never one to complain. Her cheerful attitude, infectious smile and youthful personality brought joy to her home and to all those with whom she came in contact.
Denise was a long-time member of the Community of Christ Church and lovingly supported her husband's ministry for the entirety of the marriage. It was in her parents' living room in 1969 that her father was instrumental in the formation of the Edmond branch.
The family wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation for the love and generosity extended to Denise from Chanel Knight of Excell Home Health and to the staff of Life Spring Home Health Hospice.
She will be greatly missed by her husband, David of 48 years, son Jason and wife Kyra Hatfield and their children, Skylee and Saizlee of Piedmont; daughter Tiffany and husband Robert Mather and their children, Dayton, and Allie of Edmond; her brother Ron and Marsha Bath of Edmond; her sister Robbin Gentry of Edmond; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Steve, and Joy Hatfield of Tulsa. As well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Please join us in remembering Denise by visiting her memorial at www.matthewfuneralhome.com . Through this site, we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.
A visitation will be held Friday, November 19, 2021, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with family present to greet friends and guests.
Services will be held Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 2:00 PM at the Matthews Funeral Home Chapel, Edmond, OK.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on 'Videos', then 'Live Streams'.