Equilla Hackett

    Ms. Equilla Hackett was born March 2,1925 in Powder Springs, Georgia to Clyde Turner and Coy Hackett. She was a devoted Christian and accepted Christ as her Savior being baptized at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. 

   Growing up on Oglesby Road, Ms. Equilla would hang around the kitchen watching her grandmother, Dotha Shipp Turner, lovingly known as “Dovie” cook her favorite foods.  Ms. Equilla would also help her grandfather, John T. Turner farm his many acres of land. And when Granddad Turner went into town to buy equipment or conduct business, his inquisitive little granddaughter would beg to go with him.

 Ms. Equilla excelled in school:

- 1937 she received a “Neither absent nor Tardy” award

-1938 she obtained a 7th grade completion certificate

-1940 she passed all of her 9th grade courses

       Ms. Equilla enrolled in the Beaumont School of Practical Nursing and was awarded her diploma in 1951. Two years later, she was certified as a Practical Nurse by the Georgia Board of Examiners. After further study, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. As an LPN, Ms. Equilla helped deliver dozens of babies and heal the sick while working in the private practice of several doctors. And it was not unusual for her to read medical journals while eating lunch!

               When she wasn’t working, Ms. Equilla loved serving the Lord, traveling, sewing and taking care of her dogs. At New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, she continued her family’s great tradition of service. Her grandfather, John Turner, was one of the founders of the original New Hope. Ms. Equilla was the church’s financial secretary, helped start the Courtesy Ministry, sang on the choir and she was an avid supporter of the New Hope Youth Ministry.

                 Her mother urged her to see beyond Powder Springs and she did just that, enjoying cruises, flying all over the country, she loved visiting Hawaii. She also travelled to see her favorite baseball teams. Over the years, Ms. Equilla owned various breeds of dogs. Christy was her baby, she even allowed Christy to sleep at the foot of her bed.

                Willie James Simmons was the love of Ms. Equilla’s life, having been by her side for 44 years. They met at a dinner hosted by one of Ms. Equilla’s friends. They often worshipped at church together, travelled together and as the decades wore on, joyfully watched as the Simmons clan expanded several generations. Affectionately known as “Ms. E.”..  hers was the first voice James Simmons heard in the morning and the last he spoke to at night. 

            In April, Ms. Equilla was diagnosed with bone cancer. She passed away peacefully on November 18, 2021.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Clyde Turner, her father, Coy Hackett Sr. her brother, Purple Heart awardee, John C. Turner. She leaves to cherish her memory:  Willie James Simmons, her stepsister, Verna Hackett, stepbrother, Coy Hackett Jr. and his wife Sylvia, their son, Coy Hackett lll, a great niece, Madison and a great nephew, Mason, her special friend, Dorthey Daniels, along with a host of other cousins and friends.

                            The Hackett family would like to also extend a special thanks to the staff at Powder Springs Rehab Center, especially Ms. Equilla’s nurse, Rosalyn Nelson, caregiver Chiyere “Chi-Chi” Awa and Cheryl Darnell from Kindred Hospice Care.

The Funeral Home will welcome guest for a viewing and signing of the register book all day on Friday, November 26, 2021 until 5:00 PM at the Greener Pastures Funeral Home, 4405 Marietta St. Powder Springs, GA 30127.

The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2021 beginning at 11:00 AM inside the Chapel of Greener Pastures Funeral Home, 4405 Marietta St. Powder Springs, GA 30127.

The Interment will follow immediately after the Funeral service on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 4192 Brownsville Rd, Powder Springs, GA. 30127.

To the Hackett Family, we at Greener Pastures Funeral Home, extend to you our deepest sympathy & condolences. Our prayers remain that your abiding faith in God will continue to comfort, to strengthen and sustain you during your time of bereavement.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Equilla Hackett, please visit our floral store.