Albert HAMRICK

WILLIAMSBURG - On Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, the Lord called our loved one home to be with Him. Albert Hamrick passed away at Williamsburg Hospice Care and Support Center after a lengthy illness.
Al was born on June 22, 1943, in Shelby, N.C. He was the sixth of 13 children born to the late Ernest Hamrick and Viola Harris Hamrick.
Al attended North Carolina Public Schools and joined the Old Ellis Chapel in Shelby, N.C., at an early age. Upon relocating to Williamsburg, AI joined Mt Pilgrim Baptist Church and was a faithful member until his health began to decline. AI retired from Jack L. Massie Construction Company, after 27 years of dedicated service. Prior to working for Massie, he worked for several years at Benson and Phillips Construction Company. AI was a former member of Beautiful Temple Masonic Lodge No. 243 of Lightfoot, Va.
Al was united in Holy Matrimony to Audrey Taylor Hamrick on April 16, 1977. This union brought together ten children to be nurtured and loved.
Al was a warm and compassionate husband and a loving and devoted father and grandfather. AI's love for children was apparent to everyone. AI will be remembered for his love of Gospel music, westerns, Derby hats, and storytelling. During his hospice stay, hospice staff was treated to Gospel concerts and stories about the adventures of his growing-up years. AI was proud of and committed to his employment with Massie. His wonderful sense of humor made everyone want to be around him. AI could be counted on for his honesty. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and community.
He was preceded in death by a son, Roderick Taylor; two sisters, Carolyn and Eula Hamrick; and three brothers, Thomas, James and Michael Hamrick.
Al is survived by his wife of 33 years, Audrey Taylor Hamrick; his three daughters, the Rev. Angela Judkins (Victor), of Springfield, Mass., Carla Taylor, of Williamsburg and Stacy Taylor, of Bowie, Md.; his six sons, Albert Christopher Key (Candace), Calvin and Larry Hamrick, all of Springfield, Mass., Anthony Hamrick, of Hartford, Conn., Curtis Pressey, of Virginia Beach and Michael Hamrick, of Williamsburg, Va.; his 15 grandchildren and his five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Hamrick, of Forest City, N.C., and Hazel Sutton, of Hartford, Conn.; his five brothers, Archie Hamrick, of Paterson, N.J., Ernest Hamrick, of Hartford, Conn., Sherman and Alfred Hamrick, both of Shelby, N.C., and Charles Hamrick, of Forest City, N.C. AI shared a special connection with the family of his late aunt and uncle, Mary Lee and Jim Rodgers. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Queen Wallace and Phyliss Haley (Reginald), of Plainfield, N.J., Roberta Lauria, of Fairfax, Va., Hilda Thomas (Eddie), of Northampton, Pa., and Doris Wallace, of Iselin, N.J.; his brothers-in-law, Calvin Wallace Jr., of Hampton, Va., and Nathan Wallace (Zita), of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many caring friends.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, in Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church with the Rev. Roland Cuffee officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends will assemble at 116 Williamson Drive by 1 p.m. Saturday. Mr. Hamrick may be viewed in the funeral home on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Professional Services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Va., 757-229-3011.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Williamsburg Hospice Care and Support Center, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23188 and Child Development Resource, P.O. Box 280, Norge, VA 23127. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.