Lura Faye Hambelton, 95
Funeral services for Lura Faye Hambelton, 95, of Gainesville were held Nov. 29, 2021, at the Gainesville Church of Christ with Halbert Smith officiating. Mrs. Hambelton died Nov. 26 at her home, where she spent her final days surrounded by the devoted love and care of her family.
She was born Feb. 26, 1926, in Gainesville, the daughter of Thomas Arthur and Ollie Ray Pitchford Miller. Growing up on a farm as the third of eight children, she learned how to work hard and live frugally. On occasion, she shared memories of walking 2½ miles to school and church (walking across logs on two creeks), riding in the back of a horse-drawn wagon, scrubbing clothes on a washboard at the creek, working in the fields, carrying firewood and helping with other chores.
During World War II, she left Gainesville for a short time to work at Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, while waiting for her fiance’, Hugo Hambelton, to return from the war. After the war ended and Hugo came home, they were married on Oct. 14, 1945, in a double-wedding ceremony with Hugo’s brother, Ted, and his bride, Lessie Robbins. Their happy marriage continued 57 years until Hugo’s death on Dec. 1, 2002.
In 1947, the Hambeltons purchased the farm where Lura was still residing at the time of her death.
Mrs. Hambelton loved cooking large meals for her family and friends, and she also worked as a cook for the Gainesville Schools for 25 years before she retired in 1991. She did a lot of gardening and was known for her wonderful home-canned green beans (she canned over 300 quarts of them in one summer), and her famous strawberry shortcake. In her younger years, she enjoyed sewing, embroidering, making quilts and attending bluegrass festivals with Hugo.
She loved socializing and was known for her annual birthday parties. However, these lively “music parties” at her house eventually became too much work for her and were replaced by less lively birthday celebrations given in her honor by her children.
Mrs. Hambelton lived a life worthy of honor and respect. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, as well as a faithful Christian and active member of the Gainesville Church of Christ. Her death leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of many, but those who know her best and share her faith find peace in knowing that her death here means a better life in heaven with no more pain, no tears and no suffering.
The Hambeltons’ marriage blessed them with four children, 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Their children are Vance Hambelton and wife Phyllis (deceased), Patricia Jarman and husband Roger, Charlotte Barr, and Stacy Hambelton and wife Brenda; grandchildren include Lance Jarman and wife Joyce, Bradley Hambelton (deceased), Clint Barr and wife Libby, Stephen Hambelton (deceased), Patti McDaniel, Tracy Thomas, Brian Hambelton and wife Casey; Renee Hambelton, Aaron Hambelton, Caleb Hambelton and wife Jennifer, Kara Johnson and husband Scott, Kristen Chapman and husband Jonathan; great-grandchildren are Callaway Anderson and husband Dylan, Alexa Barr, Brad Jarman, Jeb Jarman, Kaylee Jarman, Jalen Thomas, Kendall Thomas, Janessa Thomas, Shayla Thomas, Bryce Hambelton, Andrew Hambelton, Ryan McDaniel, Connor McDaniel, Rylie Johnson, Calum Johnson, Collin Hambelton and Nora Beth Hambelton. She also leaves behind several adoring nieces and nephews, and one sister, Fern Beasley.
In addition to her daughter-in-law, Phyllis Hambelton, and her two grandsons, Bradley Hambelton and Stephen Hambelton, she was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and six of her seven siblings: Violet Morrison, Velta Hambelton, Nova Bryan, Arthur “Junior” Miller, Fred Miller and Jake Miller.
Burial will be in the Patrick Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Patrick Cemetery.
Arrangements by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.