Alfred Rufus Hiatt

Mr. Alfred Rufus Hiatt, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and dear friend, has gone home to be with our Heavenly Father. Mr. Hiatt, 76, passed away Saturday, August 14, 2010, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born August 7, 1934, in Surry County, to the late Alvin Lee Hiatt, Sr. and Martha Cook Hiatt. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Lois Hiatt; a son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Susan Hiatt of Ararat, VA; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Jon Black of Greensboro and Stephanie and Kelly Goins of Claudville, VA; grandchildren, Benjamin and Audrey Hiatt, Ethan and Anthony Goins, and Malcolm and Anna Claire Black; and two sisters, Mary Ruth Shaw and Janice Hiatt, both of Mount Airy; and a sister-in-law, Perlie Hiatt of Mount Airy. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hiatt was preceded in death by two sisters, Irene Hiatt and Winonia Wilhite; and three brothers, Franklin Hiatt, Alvin Hiatt, Jr., and Dillard Hiatt. Mr. Hiatt was such an inspiration to those who knew him and considered by some as the rock of the Flat Rock community. He attended Flat Rock High School and joined the United States Army in 1955. He was a devout Christian, deacon, Sunday school teacher and ordained minister at Flat Rock Baptist Church. He was a Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 539 and a cook at Camp Raven Knob. Mr. Hiatt was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. He was a member of Flat Rock Ruritan Club for 48 years and served as president for many of those years. He retired from the Surry County School System after serving as a cook and custodian at Flat Rock Elementary School for 30 years. He believed his purpose in life was to serve mankind and to live a life that others would follow. The funeral service will be held Monday, August 16, 2010, at 11:00 AM at Flat Rock Baptist Church, with the Rev. Todd E. Byrd officiating. Burial will follow in the Midkiff Cemetery, with military honors by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, where his body will remain until carried to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030 or to Flat Rock Baptist Church, P.O. Box 587, Mount Airy, NC 27030.