Joe Benford (JB) Hatten was born August 30, 1940, to the late Joe Nathan and Lena Carlisle Hatten.  He departed this life on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.  He was preceded in death by his parents Joe Nathan and Lena C. Hatten; five brothers: Clarence Hatten, J.C. Hatten, Nathaniel Hatten, J.D. Hatten, and Odell Hatten, two sisters: Carlean Sullivan, and Helen Naomi White; one sister-in-law: Maggie Hatten; three brothers-in-law: Rev. Lidell Sullivan, Jessie White, and Lepolian Gentry.

He leaves to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife, Mary Lena Hatten, and four stepchildren, William Neal Howard (Elizabeth) of Middlesboro, KY, Vickie Ann Turnbough (Joseph), of Athens, TN, Joseph Murdock Howard, of Middlesboro, KY and James Fredrick Howard (Tamura), of Middlesboro, KY, one sister, Etherlene Gentry, of Jackson, MS, and three brothers: Charles Hatten (Alene), of Pinola, MS, Chester Hatten of Jackson, MS, and Bennie Lewis Hatten (Fannie); of Taylorsville, MS, and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mr. Hatten was educated at Hatten Attendance Center in Taylorsville, MS.  Joe joined Old Palestine MB Church at an early age and later became a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Middlesboro, KY.  He was co-commander of the Middlesboro Black Veterans Association and former Commissioner for the Middlesboro Housing Authority.

He never met a stranger and will be forever missed by all who knew him as he rests in peace.

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 11 a.m. to noon at Green Hills Funeral Home.

Memorial services will be conducted at noon on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Green Hills Funeral Home.

Committal will follow in the Green Hills Memorial Gardens.

Green Hills Funeral Home, Middlesboro, is honored to serve the Hatten Family.