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’.
Dear David and Family,
I was blessed each time David, Denise and their special dog made their monthly luncheon visit in my home with me. Denise had that special smile and soft voice she was like an angel. I am deeply missing her. David and Denise were that special couple who was a tremendous testimony of God’s Love and compassion. Thank you Denise for being the loving wife to David and friend to me. My prayers are that David and his family will feel God’s peace and comfort through those friends and families He sends their way at this time. Thank God Denise does not have to suffer any longer and she is in Heaven with our Lord. Prayers and love, Shirley Platt
We have been blessed to know Denise, David and Mato for the past 6 years. Denise was always such a joy to speak to and her love for both of her “men’ was palpable. She fully invested in caring for Mato and we feel honored to have been able to walk with this family on their journey. We wish David and Mato all the best and will remember Denise for her smile, devotion and gentle spirit.
All our love,
Sunset Veterinary Clinic Staff
Over the years, we have been blessed by Denise’s sweet disposition and true desire to help anyone in need. When Denice worked at the Sequoia Junior High cafeteria, she would often call informing us that the schools were closed due to bad weather and that our children could sleep in. we all appreciated that news.
When my mother lived at the Copper Lake Retirement home, Denice who worked in the cafeteria there at the time, would often go out of her way to make sure that everyone was tended to and served by her with her sweet smile and attentiveness.
David and Denice opened their home to those who attended the Sunday church services there. Many fond memories were had as we joined together in worship as a First People Community of Christ congregation.
Denice was a friend to so many and had such a delightful personality, so gracious and kind. Her smile and outgoing personality was a blessing to all. She and David were truly a ministry to so many over the years. our family and friends will miss her presence in our lives. I know that she is now with her loved ones in Heaven.
Our family will all miss her and each has their own memories of her care and kindness towards them. in much love, Terry, Markie, Kyra, Rena, Allysha and our many foster children who also were blessed by her care and delightful kind personality..
trishcleek@gmail.com
Chuck and Trish Cleek
Denise and I go way back to our childhood when she and her family were living in Hugoton, KS and my family and I lived in Guymon, OK. How did we meet? Her family and my family drove to Liberal, KS to go to church. We were in elementary school at the time and the same age. It was so wonderful to have a friend to go to church camps in the summers with. My mother would drive hundreds of miles to take my sister, Denise and I to youth camps and drove back to get us the next weekend!! I honestly don’t know how she did it plus working a full time job from 8-5. I have always admired and appreciated my mother’s commitment and dedication. Anyway a couple of yrs before graduation Denise’s dad, Gene Bath, got transferred to Edmond, OK. It was interesting how she graduated the same year I did and met David Leroy Hatfield and married the same summer I married my hs sweetheart in the summer of 1973. I got married in Guymon but my husband and I moved to Edmond so that he could attend Central State. We became involved in the young marrieds that David was the leader of and we had so many wonderful fun times with all the couples we met and fellowshipped with. I remember the Long’s, the York’s, the Holly’s (lol), the Hatfield’s, Wallace’s, etc. It was truly a blessing to be a part of!! David and Denise were always active and led the group. We had an active church baseball team which a lot of our young married men were involved. It was very competitive as I remember. The memories I have with Denise and David are treasured. David’s parents, Leroy and Golda would have the young marrieds over always for a great time for fun, food and fellowship with board games and darts and I have such fond memories of all that in my life. Thank you David and Denise for the wonderful times.
David,
Denise was (Obvious to ALL) a blessing to everyone she met–I am sorry for your loss, but believe she is in Paradise, right now. Please email me as I have a picture (with you in it), that you have either never seen, or it’s been a long time–“a softball memory.” This will make you smile, my friend!
We Truly Miss You–I believe in my heart our congregations will all be One again, perhaps someday soon.
God Bless…
My email address is:
dscott3494@cox.net.