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Margaret Ann (Hatchett) Cheney

Margaret Ann Hatchett Cheney, 93, passed away peacefully in Dothan, Alabama, after a long and well-lived life devoted to faith, family, and service to others.

Ann will especially be remembered for her warmth, hospitality, and generous spirit. She and her husband Bob created a laughter-filled home, demonstrating love to family and friends. Ann always had room for one more at her table. As decades-long sponsors of Foreign Officers at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ann and Bob welcomed many from abroad who became lifelong friends that they visited when they traveled the world. Her home was a gathering place where all were welcomed with open arms.

Ann was deeply involved in her church community throughout her life. She was an active member of Capitol Heights United Methodist Church and later Whitfield United Methodist Church, where she faithfully served in many roles. She led the Missions Ministry, served on the church’s official board, sang alto in the choir, and participated in Circle meetings. Her church family was a priority in her life. Her very last Sunday, she streamed the services of her new church, First United Methodist of Montgomery. She also prioritized reading her Bible every morning to start her day.

Above all, Ann was devoted to her family. She had a lifelong passion for genealogy and spent many years carefully researching and preserving her family’s history so that future generations would know the stories of their ancestors and origins. Even well into her nineties, Ann remained active and independent, continuing her genealogical work and supporting the organizations she loved. Among others, she was a member of the National Societies of Daughters of the American Revolution, United States Daughters of 1812, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America, The Colonial Dames of America, Colonial Dames XVII Century, and the Alabama Company of the Jamestowne Society. She also served as president of the Montgomery Civinettes Club.

Ann was born May 6, 1932, in Lincoln, Alabama, to Benjamin Franklin Hatchett of Athens, Alabama, and Dorothy Schmidt Hatchett of Lincoln, Alabama. She was raised with her siblings Thomas Lawrence Hatchett, Benjamin Franklin Hatchett, and Elizabeth Arlynn Hatchett Weir.During her childhood, Ann’s family moved to Columbiana, Alabama, where she graduated from Shelby County High School as salutatorian. She went on to graduate with a degree in history and business from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, where she was a proud member of the Delta Zeta sorority.

While at Auburn, Ann met the love of her life, Robert Martin Cheney of Montgomery, Alabama, a United States Marine Corps veteran. The two were married on July 3, 1954, at Columbiana United Methodist Church in Alabama. Together they built a life in Montgomery, raised their three children and traveled the world.

She is survived by her children, Robert Martin Cheney Jr. (Karen), Elizabeth Lee Cheney Sewell (the late William), and John Franklin Cheney (Deborah), as well as her grandchildren Laura Shannon Phillips (Chris), Benjamin Garrett Cheney (Jordy), Garrett Franklin Cheney (Christine), and Samantha Paige Clement (Neil).

Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren, John Edwin Phillips, Mildred Ann Phillips, Anna Joyce Cheney, McAllister Grace Cheney, Chloe Marie Cheney, Harper Ann Cheney, Jackson Lyndon Cheney, Valerie Rose Clement and Martin Richard Clement. Ann’s life was a testament to faith, family, and the enduring bonds of love that she nurtured throughout her ninety-three years.

Ann is entombed at Greenwood Cemetery, in Montgomery, Alabama alongside her husband. The family held a private graveside service on April 1, 2026.

You are invited to a Celebration of Ann’s life on April 26, 2026, at First United Methodist Church of Montgomery, Alabama, 2416 W Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, AL 36106. Visitation will be held in the Main Sanctuary at 12:00 noon, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Ann requested that donations be given to one of the following:

Embrace Alabama Kids, 925 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
Jamestowne Society, William M. Kelso Archaeology Fund, 3901 Midlands Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188-2575