Jonathan Hatcher’s Funeral

Jonathan Xavier Hatcher was born on June 1st of 2000. He was the youngest of 5 and the only boy, bless his heart. Today,  our family is picking up pieces of our hearts off of the ground. We are devastated to say that Jonathan was shot and killed this morning (Nov 17, 2018), while taking out the trash. 18 years old, before his life really even started.  
  The memory that burns in the back of my mind as I write this is when my family was taking a long drive to Memphis, and our mother told us that she’d always wanted a boy. It only took her 5 attempts, but after having 4 girls, she had her blessing, Jonathan. From that day on, he wouldn’t let us girls live it down.  He was the baby. He was spoiled by every single woman in the family. He was special. He was a star football player & a very bright kid in school. When Jonathan was a little boy, he loved making videos of himself singing Neyo with his sisters. He loved taking selfies with his mom, Kandice. He made friends effortlessly. People were drawn to his sense of humor and taste for adventure, even when it ended with them getting hurt. His teachers always had good things to say about him. He was funny and emotional and soft and masculine and troubled and sweet and challenging, but so so dearly loved. I cannot express enough how much we loved Jonathan.  
   Jonathan leaves behind his mother, 4 older sisters, 3 nieces, 2 nephews, his grandmother, his girlfriend, and the rest of our extended family, who he loved dearly. 
   Details of his death are still being investigated, but no answers will give us solace. We will find our peace within eachother and hope that he is somewhere beautiful and serene. Our family asks for your help as we prepare to say our final goodbyes to our beautiful brother, son, grandson, uncle Jojo, and cousin. Funeral costs, embalming, and burial expenses are a financial detriment to our family, but we must give Jonathan a proper going away ceremony. Please donate what you can and keep our family close to your hearts and in your thoughts as we heal from this heartbreaking loss. Most of all, keep our mother in your prayers. No parent should have to bury their own child. 

Jonathan, little brother, I love you. You were my biggest bully, but you were some of my most important life lessons. You were my adventuring buddy & you were my cuddle buddy when we were scared of ghosts. I wish I could’ve told you I loved you one last time. You are always in my heart. You left us far too soon.
Rest in peace.