Lutecia T. Hathcock

Lutecia Talbert Hathcock, affectionately known as “Tootsie”, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2024 at the age of 88. Born in Iredell County, NC to Lamar and Julia Marie Edwards Talbert, Tootsie was a beacon of love, kindness, and dedication throughout her life.

Tootsie proudly graduated with perfect attendance from A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis in 1954. In 1956, she married the love of her life, Joe Hathcock, and together they attended Appalachian and Pfeiffer colleges. Tootsie’s passion for learning and education led her pursue a Master’s degree and to have a fulfilling career as a teacher with Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system, where she taught English and North Carolina history at Sterling Elementary and Carmel Junior High. Her dedication to her students and her love for teaching were evident in every lesson she delivered. Tootsie’s adventurous side led her to travel extensively, visiting all 100 counties in North Carolina and 49 of the 50 United States.

A devoted wife of 47 years and the mother of three children, Tootsie also embraced the role of grandmother, proudly choosing the name “Gran-Gran”. Her nurturing spirit extended beyond her family, as she cultivated a love for gardening, growing beautiful flowers that brightened everyone’s day. Tootsie’s home on Windwood Circle was filled with love and friendship. She had many dear friends whom she considered family. Known for her kindness and generosity, Tootsie was a lifelong fan of Tarheel basketball and a cherished member of her bridge club and The Sterling Spoons.

In honor of Tootsie’s remarkable life, her family encourages everyone to remember her by learning something new, offering a friend a helping hand, planting a garden and sharing its bounty with neighbors, picking up shells on a beach, or taking a peaceful walk in the woods under the beautiful Carolina blue skies. You could honor and remember Tootsie by taking a trip, enjoying a meal with loved ones, sharing a cup of coffee and having a long chat with a friend, or in true Tootsie fashion, cheer on the Carolina Tarheels basketball team in her memory.

In addition to her mother and father, Tootsie was preceded in death by her husband Joe, brother Dan Talbert, and granddaughter Julianna Rice. Tootsie is survived by daughter Delisa and Will Rice (Carmen and Daniel); daughter Angela and Lee Branham (Lee J, Holden, Blake and Justin Funderburk, Marshall, and Wyatt); son Joe and Trish Hathcock (Miranda, Calvin, Jenna, and Jillian); and “Mother-in-Love” Pat Swenson.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of The Wellmore in Tega Cay, The Charlotte Assisted Living and Memory Care, hospice, and all of Tootsie’s friends for their unwavering love and support over the years. Tootsie will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

The family will hold a memorial service to celebrate Tootsie’s life at 2:00pm on Sunday, December 22nd at Pineville United Methodist Church with a reception to follow in the Crossroads Center.

Rest in Peace, Tootsie. Your legacy of love, kindness, and joy will live on in our hearts forever.