Janice Ruth Butts Hatten

Mrs. Janice Ruth Butts Hatten, age 78 of DeFuniak Springs, widow of the late Arthur Dallas Hatten, Jr. passed away at the family residence Wednesday morning, March 16, 2016. She was born November 20, 1937 in Bermuda, Alabama the daughter of Thomas Lane Butts, Sr. and Janie Pauline Owens Butts. Most in this area will remember Jan when she moved here with her husband, U. S. Navy Commander (Retired) Art Hatten in 1983 when he accepted the position of CEO, Valley Springs Community Hospital (Walton County Hospital). As typical of officer's wives, Jan was well versed in social graces and instantly became the "spokes person" for the hospital in the community, attending functions and hosting various events in Baptist Hospital's attempt to entice doctors to the area. Jan had a tremendous sense of "family" and never forgot her roots where she was raised in the small South Alabama town where she and her brothers and sisters grew up, yet her personality served as a magnet to any whom she met. After Art's retirement they continued to make their home in DeFuniak Springs. After his death in 2013, Jan continued to live in the home they had made for themselves. All who knew Jan, recognized the emptiness she lived with after his passing, yet all of her daughter’s suggestions that she move and live with her fell on deaf ears. Jan waited out her time in the last place she and her husband were together. In the early morning of Wednesday, she went to be with him.

Among survivors are her daughter, Commander Trena J. Henson, MSC, U.S.N. (Ret) and her husband, Lieutenant Commander Paul A. Henson, MSC U.S.N. (Ret), of Fleming Island, Florida. One son, Arthur Daryl Hatten, self employed, of Woodbridge, Va; and three grandchildren: Abijah Daryl Hatten, Jordan Addis Hatten and Callie Rebecca Henson; +and one great grandson, Alijah Dallas Hatten. + She is predeceased by her eldest brother, Aubrey Lee Butts (wife Jo) of Satsuma AL. Her remaining siblings are: Dr Thomas Lane Butts, Jr (wife Hilda) of Monroeville, Al; R. Harold Butts (wife Shirley) of Chickasaw AL; and Elinor Burt ( husband Chesley- deceased) of Bermuda, AL. She also leaves behind, her and Art's faithful dog, Beau.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Jan Hatten’s memory to the American Institute for Cancer Research. Services will be held Saturday, April 2, 2016 in Jerry Evans Chapel with Dr. Thomas Lane Butts officiating.