Christine Mason Hatley, 79, a native of this area and a longtime resident of San Jose, Calif., died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006, in San Jose.

She was born July 31, 1926 in Hickoria, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Mason.

She was baptised into the Methodist Church in Knobel as a young woman. She was a homemaker and a teacher. She earned her BSE Degree in Elementary Education from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro in 1951 and took several continuing education courses while teaching in the San Jose schools. She began her teaching career in Knobel at age 17 and taught in Boydsville, Memphis, Livonia, Mich., and San Jose. She held a lifetime teaching certificate. She enjoyed working in her yard, but was happiest when surrounded by her family.

She also was preceded in death by three brothers, C.R. Mason, Jeff Mason and Thad Mason; a great niece, Peyton Lytle; sister-in-law, Colleen Carruthers; two nephews, Jerry Walden and Mike Walden, and her father and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hatley.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Calvin Hatley; one son, Alan Hatley; one daughter, Carolyn and husband Sam Burton; three grandsons, Matthew Hatley, Dan Burton and Scott Burton; two sisters, Geraldine Stayton of Pocahontas and Jacquelyn Pogue of Piggott; sister-in-law, Carolyn Mason of Knobel; brother-in-law, James Hatley and wife Wanda of Orlando, Fla.; sister-in-law, Nita Cox and husband Gene of St. Louis; sister-in-law, Bonnie Ford of Pocahontas, and brother-in-law, Carl Hatley of Corning, along with several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Ermert Funeral Home in Corning with funeral services immediately following in the chapel. Rev. Charles Carrens will officiate. Burial will follow in Pirtle Cemetery at Peach Orchard.