Elizabeth Christine Hensley Hatcher Bryant, 96 of Bedford, VA passed away Sunday, July 26, 2026 at Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital. She was born on Saturday, May 31, 1930 in Bedford County, a daughter of the late Charles Robert Hensley and Minerva Holdren Hensley. Twice married, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Lewis Daniel Hatcher, Jr., and Morton L. "Ben" Bryant and her son, Donald E. Hatcher, step-daughter, Clara Bender, brothers, Lewis Carson Hensley (Marion) & a sister, Carrie O. Ware (Pete), a step-grandson, Jason Hill, brother-in-law, Ralph Hatcher (Doris), sister-in-law, Shirley Hensley.

She was baptized at Ebenezer United Methodist Church at the age of nine and had been a member of the Otterville United Methodist Church since 1967. She was active in many capacities in her church and was also a Past Noble Grand of the Stoney Creek Rebekah Lodge #103 having received the Decoration of Chivalry in 1995.

She was employed in retail sales work as a clerk/cashier for thirty six years having retired in 1998.

She is survived by her sons, Roger L. Hatcher (Barbara). Charles R. Hatcher (Carolyn); her step-daughter, Rachel B. Hill (Thomas), special niece, Rebecca Hensley Mumford; her grandchildren, Roger L. Hatcher, Jr., Melessia Hatcher Leonard (Jeffery), Angela Hatcher Lynch (Gregory), Jason Hatcher; her step-grandchildren, Chad E. Martin, Amy Martin; Gregory Hill, Nicholas Hill, Andrew Hill, Nathan Hill; her great grandchildren, Ashli Glenn (Ciarra), Lauryn Lynch, Joshua Hatcher, Colin Hatcher, Lindsay Martin, Caytlin Palmborg (Colton); three great great grandchildren, her brothers, Clyde M. Hensley, Wayne R. Hensley (Judy) as well as many nieces and nephews and her special "Tuesday friend", Erma Whorley.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Bedford County Nursing Home and the ICU Unit at Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital for their care and concern while caring for our loved one.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Otterville United Methodist Church or the Stoney Creek Rebekah Lodge #103.

The family will receive friends beginning at 12 noon on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford and a funeral service will follow at 2 PM in the chapel. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.

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