Frank Hutchins Obituary

Frank Tabor Hutchins was born November 2, 1928, in Raleigh, North Carolina, the third of nine children to Spurgeon and Healy Hutchins. He graduated from Hugh Morson High School in 1946 and North Carolina State College in 1951 with a degree in Ceramic Engineering. As an Air Force ROTC student, he attended radar school following graduation at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi and served as a radar officer in charge of a navigation site in Northern Germany.

He was employed by General Shale Products Corporation for 40 years. He served in many roles ranging from plant superintendent to sales management at General Shale and its subsidiaries, including the Chattanooga Key-James Brick Company; the McMinnville Concrete Products; and the Johnson City corporate office. He retired in 1991.

While working at the Key-James Brick Company, he met his future wife of 63 years, Phyllis Layne. They married in 1959 and raised both a son and a daughter. Most of their married life was spent in Johnson City.

Frank is preceded in death by his beloved wife Phyllis; his parents Spurgeon and Healy Hutchins; his mother-in-law Treva Channell; his brothers Bill (Hildred) Hutchins, Charles Hutchins, and John (Alice) Hutchins; his sisters Elizabeth (Ray) Champion and Mary Jo (Claud) Hull; and his sister-in-law Frances (Ronnie) Duckett.

He is survived by his son and family Mickey, Susan, and Jake Hutchins; his daughter and family, Nancy, Mike, Matthew, Will, and John Batson; brothers James (Barbara) Hutchins; Robert (Dottie) Hutchins; sister Nancy (Carroll) Glenn; brother-in-law James (Stacy) Channell; and many nieces and nephews.

Frank was an active and long-time member of Central Baptist Church in Johnson City. He served as an ordained deacon and Sunday School teacher, and participated in senior adult ministries, including the JOY choir. Many lasting friendships were developed at Central.

Throughout life, Frank and Phyllis loved to travel. He also enjoyed golf, yard work, gardening, wood working, and stained-glass art. Frank was raised during the Depression never losing the values of sharing and compassion and gave to those in need readily. He will be remembered as a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather and he cherished each of these roles.

Pallbearers will be Mickey Hutchins, Mike Batson, Jake Hutchins, Matthew Batson, Will Batson, and John Batson.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023, from 11am to 12pm at Hendersonville Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 12pm in the Chapel at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be held at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery beginning at 2pm.