Ronnie Efton Hatley, age 81, went home to be with Jesus November 1, 2026 at Craighead Nursing Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was the son of the late Milford E. Hatley and Della Mae Ware Hatley. He was born March 5, 1945 at Datto, Arkansas. He accepted Jesus at a small baptist church in Datto and attended there regularly. He was a member and deacon of Walnut Street Baptist Church.

He graduated with the Corning High School Class of 1963. He went to Southern Baptist College (Williams Baptist) and then completed his studies at the University of Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Arkansas, in 1967 with a degree in marketing, he married Donna K. Chatman of Poplar Bluff Missouri on June 9, 1967. He worked as an insurance manager and agent for Shelter Insurance Company and for Nationwide Insurance Company from 1968 to 2007. He had the privilege of going on many trips with his company. After retirement, he and Donna took a trip to Israel which was the highlight of his travels. The hobby he enjoyed most was gardening and creating an immaculately landscaped yard. It brought him great joy when people asked to stop to tour his yard.

When not working in his yard, he could be found studying to prepare for an upcoming Sunday School lesson. He taught Sunday School for 50 years where he committed himself to providing a well-prepared Sunday School lesson for those attending his class. He was also committed to ministry services outside of Sunday School. He taught at God’s New Life doing a weekly bible study, he taught a weekly bible study in the juvenile prison ministry, as well as working with Walnut Street’s benevolence program. He always had a story to share after he had completed a day of working in these programs.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Donna K. Hatley of the home. Son, Dr. Russell Eric Hatley (Sarah) of El Dorado, AR. Daughter, Janee’ McElhanon (Gregg) of Jonesboro, AR. Grandchildren: Houston McElhanon (Little Rock, AR), Thomas Hatley (Nashville, TN), Paul Fischer McElhanon (Fayetteville, AR), Miriam Hatley (Swanee, TN).

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Jack and Jerry Hatley, and his nephew Peyton Hatley.

Services will be Saturday, November 7. 2026 at 2:00 in the chapel at Emerson Funeral Home. Visitation will be at 1:00. Steve Fowler will officiate joined by Grey Falanga. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Mrs. Glenda Cheatham, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. Curt Hodges, Mrs. Jackie Hood, Mr. and Mrs. Don Long, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Mason, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Spears, and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Watkins.