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Hattie Marie McGary, Who Captured The Soul Of Cantonment, Passes Away
December 11, 2024
The community is mourning the loss of a special lady that captured the soul of Cantonment.
Hattie Marie McGary, the owner of the soul food restaurant Harrie Marie’s Cafe has passed away. She was 80.
Hattie, who loved her family and community, loved sharing her lifelong love of cooking. She spent 36 years working for the Escambia County School Food Services Department, starting as a dishwasher in 1971. But then a manager realized Hattie could cook, and that was what she did for the kids for 30 years until her retirement as an assistant manager.
Hattie Marie’s Cafe on Louis Street was all about community, serving soul food prepared with an extra sprinkling of love.
Beef tips, beef brisket, smoked ribs and chicken, fried and smothered pork chops, fried and baked chicken, collard greens, green beans, cornbread dressing, yams, mac and cheese, rice, mash potatoes, and potato salad were on the menu last Sunday. And what’s Sunday dinner without dessert? That was pound cake, strawberry shortcake, and sweet potato pie. All served with the heart and soul of Hattie Marie McGary.
Funeral services have not yet been announced. As for the cafe, they will be closed for a few weeks with planned reopening on Sunday, January 5.
Comments
13 Responses to “Hattie Marie McGary, Who Captured The Soul Of Cantonment, Passes Away”
Ms. Marie is what we knew her by at Pine Meadow. This woman was greatly loved and went out of her way to add extra love to the food she prepared. We had conversations everyday. She will truly be missed. Get your rest MS. MARIE. Well deserved. I love you.
I remember watching Mrs Hattie while she did her Grand Opening commercial. Everyone there that day was captivated by her story. She was such a joy to see and everyone that came through the door, spoke prior to leaving. So happy Mrs Hattie realized and lived her dream, not many fulfill that.
Thank You to the Family for keeping a dream going, that was so long in the making.
May Sorrow lend way to Peace, May Tears become Laughter with each story you tell and may a community unite once again and continue the Love.
Our condolences to all of the family.
Bless her sweet heart and soul.
My condolences to her family. We live nearby and was so excited to see her restaurant open. It’s always hoppin’ after church on Sunday. So delicious! Sending love and prayers for comfort.
Ms.Hattie your hard work and dedication to the community will always be remembered!! Wonderful young lady who always done her best for family and friends! You’ll truly be missed rest well Ms Hattie!
Ms. Hattie was one of those people that come along that you don’t forget.
She worked so hard to get her restaurant open and never gave up!
She was such a wonderful cook, we were lucky enough to get several lunches from her before the hours were reduced. Best food around!
Cantonment will sure miss you Ms. Hattie!
I am sorry I have never heard of this lady and her restuarant. I would have surely liked to have known about her and her business way before now and learned where this is. I am still not clear about the location.
To the Family and the Cantonment Community,
It is so upsetting to me to hear that Ms. Marie has left us. She worked faithfully at Pine Meadow Elementary School as our Manager of the Cafeteria. This is where I met Ms Marie. We were co-workers, but most of all, Ms. Marie was my friend. We were a family at Pine Meadow during that time. I just talked to her last week about another one of our close family friend at Pine Meadow who went home to be with the Lord.
I am so thankful that the Lord granted her prayer to open her own restaturant. She was such a joy and light in this world. I will miss her greatly.
My thoughts and prayers are with her wonderful family. You have such an excellent legacy to follow.
With Much Love,
Shirley Robinson
So sorry to hear Hattie has passed. Though I never got a chance to dine at her resturant, I heard the food was outstanding. Rest in Peace, Hattie.
You will be forever missed Hattie Marie, we love you always!
RIP, Hattie you were a lovely Lady.
So sorry for the loss of such a beautiful soul. R.I.P. Hattie.
Our prayers for the family. She will be missed. Best soul everyday. Country food. Will be. Dearly missed by all in Cantonment