Our Staff

Stan is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. He has been with the funeral home since 2001. Stan is originally from Lake City, but currently resides in Norris with his wife, Becky O'Keefe Hatmaker. He enjoys working, auto racing, and is a member of the St. Therese Catholic Church in Clinton. Stan graduated from Lake City High School in 1975, Hiwassee College in 1979 with an Associates Degree in Business, Lincoln Memorial University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Management, and also John A. Gupton College in Nashville in 2001 with a degree in Mortuary Science. He is a member of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and Knights of Columbus. He is Past President of the John A. Gupton Alumni Association, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for John A. Gupton College. Stan is honored to serve this community.

Benjamin Tyler Owens is a licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer. He has been with the funeral home since August 2014. Tyler is married to Britney who also works at the funeral home and together they have one son, Gatlin Sterling and two dogs. Tyler and his wife currently reside in Lake City. He is a 2016 graduate of John A. Gupton Mortuary School in Nashville, TN with a degree in Mortuary Science.  Tyler enjoys being outdoors in the mountains and spending time with his family.  Tyler is honored to serve families during a time of need.

She has been with the funeral home since 2010. Britney was raised in Lake City and is proud of her roots. Britney is married to Tyler, who also works at the funeral home. Together they have one son, Gatlin Sterling, and two dogs, Duke and Duchess. Britney and her husband currently reside in Lake City.  Britney enjoys being outdoors with her family and her dogs, as well as spending time with her family.  Britney considers it an honor to help a family during such a difficult time.

Katelyn Copeland is an apprentice funeral director here at Hatmaker. She is married to Zach Copeland. Together they have one son, Mason. Katelyn and her husband currently reside in Andersonville. Katelyn has an associates in business management from Pellissppi State Community College and graduated from John A. Gupton Mortuary College with a Funeral Director certificate. She is currently finishing her apprenticeship in order to obtain her license from the state. She enjoys being outdoors with her son and spending time with her family in her spare time. Katelyn is grateful to be able to assist families in such difficult times. 

Known to locals as Pearl, Madeline Pearl Hatmaker is our faithful greeter here at the funeral home. Pearl was born in September of 2021. She loves children and people. She is in training to become a comfort dog for grieving families. She never meets a stranger.  Pearl spends her free time in Norris, loved by her owners, Stan and Becky Hatmaker, and anyone who meets her.

Fiona Rose Hatmaker was a faithful greeter here at the funeral home. She never met a stranger. Rose was with the funeral home for 14 years. She was a rescue animal from Kingston, Tennessee. Rose spent her life in Norris and was a full blooded black lab loved by her owners, Stan and Becky Hatmaker, and anyone who met her.

Robert Hendren is a funeral assistant. He has been with the funeral home since 1998. Robert grew up in the Pine Hill Community but currently resides in Caryville with his wife, Carolyn Jennings Hendren. He has three children, Darren Hendren, Terrell Hendren, and Deanna Lowe. Robert also has four grandchildren and one great grandson. Robert has been a member of the Pine Hill Baptist Church for over 60 years and is currently serving as deacon and song leader. He graduated from Lake City High School in 1955 and attended the University of Tennessee and Knoxville Business College. Robert enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, hunting, fishing, going to church, camping, and gardening. He retired from ORNL after 33 years and also retired from the United States Army with 22 years of active and reserve service to our nation. Robert is a member of the Crystal Masonic Lodge #616, NWTF, and RMEF.

In Loving Memory of Rev. Tom Byrge.

Tom was a funeral assistant when he worked for Hatmaker Funeral Home. He had been with the funeral home since 2009. Tom was married to his wife of over 50 years, Minnie Braden Byrge. They had two children, Thomas Byrge Jr. and Millie Arender. He had eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Tom graduated from Lake City High School in 1957, William Carey College in 1981, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1983. He retired from the United States Air Force with 22 years of active service to our nation and for that sacrifice, we are grateful. Tom was a member of the Clinch River Baptist Church in Lake City where he served as minister for 21 1⁄2 years. Rev. Tom was also known well for his position as the Clinton Baptist Association Director of Missions. He was pastor of Graceland Baptist Church in Vancleave, Mississippi for 8 years and interim pastor of Edgemore Baptist Church for 2 years. Tom will be dearly missed.