Mr. Hayden Robert Pritchett, age 96 of Ellijay, went home to be with the Lord on January 29th, 2024.

Hayden or "HP" to his beloved family was born on September 2nd, 1927 in Fry, Georgia (Fannin County) to the late William Tobe Pritchett and the late Ollie Elvina Jones Pritchett. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Eloise Hicks Pritchett; brothers, James Pritchett, Ernest Pritchett, and Elvin Pritchett, and sister-in-law, Betty Sue Burnette.

He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Billy Duncan of Cumming, GA, Lisa and David Hensley of Ellijay, GA, and Michelle and Chris McArthur of Ellijay, GA; grandchildren, Chris and Holly Duncan, Adam and Kayla Duncan, Jessica Hensley, Lee and Nikki Hensley, Isaac and Alexa Hensley, and Tyler and Molly Rosenak; great-grandchildren, Graham, Eloise, and Alice Anne Duncan, Kaden Lowman, and Hayden, Hudson, Hank, Hunter, and Houston Hensley; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marvin and Rachel Pritchett, Homer and Margie Pritchett, and Lloyd and Pat Pritchett; sisters, Reatha Tilley and Helen Stevens, and several nieces, nephews, and friends also survive.

Hayden grew up in the Pleasant Grove area of Gilmer County and graduated from the Ellijay High School class of 1945. He was a proud veteran who served our nation in the United States Army. His true passion in life was farming, and he did that since he was a little boy. He grew apples, peaches, chickens, and cattle. He owned and operated Pritchett's Apples for over 30 years and was a founding member of our famous Georgia Apple Festival

Mr. Pritchett had several other jobs outside of farming. He was a school bus driver, owner-operator of a logging truck business, Western Auto Store Manager, and a Bookkeeper for Mosley Tractor. He spent the next phase of his life serving as a dedicated employee of the United States Postal Service. He was retired from the USPS after 28 years to the cattle farm and happily entertained his grandchildren full-time.

Hayden was a member of the First Baptist Church Ellijay, serving as a Sunday School Teacher for many years, He was also a charter member of FBC adult choir. He served our local community as the first President of the Gilmer County Jaycees, Secretary of the Ellijay Lions Club, President of the Gilmer Apple Growers Association, and was named a Farmer of the Year by the Georgia Cattlemen's Association, of which he was a long time member.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 1st, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. from the First Baptist Church of Ellijay with Dr. David Drake and Min. Butch Jones officiating. Interment will follow in the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery with final words by Rev. John Reece. The following gentlemen will be serving as pallbearers: Tyler Rosenak, Lee Hensley, Isaac Hensley, Chris Duncan, Adam Duncun, and Brett Burnette.

Mr. Pritchett will lie-in-state, and the family will receive visitors at the First Baptist Church of Ellijay on Thursday, February 1st, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour of 1:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Ellijay's Building Fund in memory of Mr. Hayden Pritchett.

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is in charge of these arrangements.