Melba Ruth Hatcher,93, of Panama City Beach, FL passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025. She was born on September 4, 1931 in Holmes County, FL to Mary Alice and Arthur Dewitt Newsome. Melba was the owner and operator of Learning Tree Daycare Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, James "Jim" J. Hatcher; son, Gary Lynn Hatcher and her parents. She is survived by three children, James Hatcher (Rebecca), Paul Hatcher, Dennis Hatcher (Rhonda); step-daughter, Patricia Smith; eight grandchildren, Jefferson Hatcher (Lissa), Michael Hatcher, Amberlee Hatcher, Nichole Weatherly (Stephen), Jeremy Hatcher (Cathryn), Timothy Smith, Ronnie Smith, Thomas Smith; twelve great grandchildren, Jeremiah, Ethan, Annah Karis, Jasmine, Tyler, Jackie, Kasen, Kaitlyn, Kannan, Cameron, Delaney, Brandt; one sister, Mary Clyde Free (Arthur). Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 11 am in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. David Hecht officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10-11 am prior to the service. Interment will be held in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Headland, AL at 3 pm on Thursday.