Emma Hyatt

On January 22, 2016, Emma Hale Hyatt, 95, peacefully went to eternal rest from her beloved log home, which she and her husband built by hand in the summer of 1941. Born March 18, 1920, she was predeceased by her parents, Dr. Walter Keith Hale and Katherine Fitzgerald Hale of Spartanburg, SC, and her three younger siblings: brother, Walter Keith Hale, Jr. of Spartanburg, SC, and sisters, Katherine Peck (Ray) of Charlotte, NC, and Mary Morgan (Ray) of Rock Hill, SC. Her father and his sister, Dr. Emma B. Hale, ministered for their professional lives as osteopaths to Spartanburg and surrounding communities and were founding members of Southside Baptist Church. Emma Hyatt and her husband served there faithfully as Sunday School teachers and in other capacities for as long as they were able. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Attorney George Simpson Hyatt, and their son, Walter Hale Hyatt (Heidi) of Nashville, TN. She is survived by their daughter, Katherine Hyatt Clark (Robert) of Sebring, FL, and their son, George Simpson Hyatt, Jr. (Tammy) of Lexington, SC. In addition to nine (9) beloved grandchildren, she nurtured nieces, nephews, students, neighbors, and wandering musicians in need of a hot meal, place to stay, and/or a kind word. After graduating from Spartanburg High School, Mrs. Hyatt attended Coker College, and in 1941, received her Baccalaureate Degree in English from Converse College. After the death of her husband in 1970, and at the urging of a friend, she went to work as a clerk in the Carver Middle School Library. Subsequently, she enrolled at the University of South Carolina in Columbia where she earned her Master's Degree in Library Science. She was quickly promoted to head librarian at Carver where she worked until her retirement, developing many treasured, life-long friendships. Mrs. Hyatt was an enthusiastic supporter of many altruistic organizations in the Spartanburg community and beyond. Especially meaningful to her were: providing hot meals for those unable to cook, (Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304), mental and spiritual nourishment, (ETV endowment of SC, PO Box 707, Columbia, SC 29202), provision of tools and education to enable the impoverished to provide food, shelter and education for their loved ones, (Heifer International, PO Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203), cultural enrichment, (The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg, 200 E. St. Johns St., Spartanburg, SC 29306), and the enjoyment and preservation of outdoor spaces, (Spartanburg Area Conservancy, 100 E. Main St. Suite 7B, Spartanburg, SC 29306). The family would like to express its deep appreciation to all those who loved, visited, called, wrote, e-mailed, and prayed for her, throughout her long and eventful lifetime. The family also extends special gratitude to her incredible physician, Dr. Ronald Littlefield and his wonderful, caring staff, and to those dear friends at Journey and Homestead Hospice who provided both skill and loving care when most needed. A celebration of her life will begin at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 30, 2016, in the sanctuary of the Church of The Solid Rock, located at the intersection of 1326 Union Street and Country Club Rd. in Spartanburg, SC 29302. The family will receive friends following the service at the Hyatt home. Mrs. Hyatt was the embodiment of a joyful life well lived. She found delight in every facet of living, from the majesty of the Grand Canyon to the tiniest wild flower. Her son Walter said it best: "She taught me to be happy." Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Emma Hale Hyatt please visit our Sympathy Store.