Anthony Lavon Hatten,65, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at his residence. A native of Newark, NJ and the son of Johnnie and Alpine Hatten, Anthony was born on Wednesday, December 12, 1956. He was the eldest of four children.  He attended school in Plainfield, NJ and graduated with his GED.  He also resided in Cleveland, OH before settling in St. Petersburg, FL and finally Palatka, FL which became his forever home.  Anthony made friends easily and remained friends with his best friend Sidney Miller since 1970.

Anthony enjoyed living among his family in the Palatka area.  He was always a hard and dedicated worker and was employed at Putnam Community Medical Center.  He was married to Jo Ann Harris for 16 years, who recently preceded him.  On September 26, 2021, he met his fiancée, Donna Lawson and they were planning to be wed on January 15, 2023.

Anthony was a caring person to all, happy and outgoing. He was a devoted member of Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church.  His church and spiritual life were important to him and he especially loved singing in the Tri-County Gospel Chorale.  He was always on time and he did not like to be late. You could rely on Anthony to bring joy as soon as you saw the smile on his face!

Anthony was preceded in eternal rest by his parents and former wife.

He leaves to cherish his memories: adored fiancée, Donna Lawson, devoted siblings , sister, Sheila Renee Hall, Plainfeld, NJ; brothers, Karl Hatten, Richmond, VA; Alan (Tanya) Hatten, Great Meadows, NJ; aunts, Elouise (James) Sloan, Crescent City; Barbara Hatten Foster, Tampa; Sylvia (Harold) Felder, Hastings; Estella Toxey, Chesapeake, VA; Bertha Christopher, Newark, NJ; eldest cousin , Katie Davis, Jacksonville; and a host of caring nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, October 7 at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Celebration of Anthony's Life will be 2 p.m., Saturday, October 8 at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka. Reverend Karl N. Flagg, Senior Pastor, is the eulogist. Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery.