Almarie Atkins Hamby

Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville announces funeral services for Mrs. Almarie Atkins Hamby, age 92, native of Blairsville, who passed away Saturday, October 29, 2011 in Stonehenge Assisted Living in Blairsville. Mrs. Hamby had been living at Stonehenge Assisted Living for several years, and enjoyed the excellent care they provided. The morning of her death, they helped her get dressed and in her chair, and she was laughing and having a good time. Thirty minutes later she had peacefully passed on to be with God.

Mrs. Hamby was born in Union County, Georgia, on Saturday, February 15, 1919, a daughter of the late Howard Atkins and Dessie Brackett Atkins. She was the eldest of five children. Mrs. Hamby was a lifelong Methodist and a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church for 74 years. Always active in church events, Mrs. Hamby taught Adult Sunday School, served as secretary/treasurer, and helped to form the cemetery fund for perpetual care of the cemetery at Shady Grove. She was a member of Blairsville Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, and loved to bake and cook, especially baking wonderful pound cakes which she carried to all functions. Over the course of several years, Mrs. Hamby worked in a jewelry store and in McClure's Furniture Store, and sold Tupperware and Sarah Coventry Jewelry. She and her friend Mary Holt talked every day until Mary passed away. Mrs. Hamby loved to read, and was extremely disappointed when she lost her vision. Time spent reading was one of the things she treasured the most. Her husband of 62 years, Manley Hamby, passed away in 1999. She and Manley were married on October 9, 1937. Two sisters, Marybelle Atkins and Josephine Lathem, preceded Mrs. Hamby in death.

Mrs. Hamby was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but especially her loving family: son and daughter-in-law, Glen and JoAnn Hamby, of Blairsville; son, Roy Hamby, of Blairsville; and daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Richard Williams of Gainesville, Georgia; a sister, Anna Mae Martin, of Blairsville; and a brother, Harold Atkins, of Blairsville; three grandchildren: Royce Hamby, Christopher Hamby, and Teresa Ritzert; Ten great grandchildren and one great great grandson also survive.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hamby have been scheduled for Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at 2:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home with Rev. Bob Bone officiating. Special music will be presented by Elizabeth Smith and Cheryl Williams. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Royce Hamby, Paul Shook, Johnny Hamby, Dale Hamby, David Atkins and Kyle Owenby. Burial will be in Shady Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home will be held on Monday evening, October 31, 2011, from the hours of 5 until 8 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted by the family to Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. We invite you to share your fond memories and condolences with the family at our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.