Samuel Graham Hambrick

Hambrick Samuel Graham Hambrick, 65, died Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010, in Marion. The world of natural beauty and the community of people were both extremely important to him, which he showed through dedicated public service of 38 years in the public school system of Smyth County as principal of Adwolfe, Chilhowie Elementary and Sugar Grove Combined Schools. His love for his community was further expressed by extensive volunteer service including Smyth County School Board member, Smyth County Tourism Board - the Bonham House, former board member of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, active member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Marion Morning Rotary Club and 20 years as chairperson of the Naturalist Rally on Whitetop. Many of his friends knew him best as an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He graduated from Virginia High School and earned a B.A. degree from Emory & Henry where he became and remained an active member of Beta Lambda Zeta Fraternity. He received his master's in education from the University of Virginia. He was the proud parent of five children and husband of Catherine Hook Hambrick of Marion; three daughters, Ann Hambrick Shannon and husband, James Stephen Shannon of St. Louis, Mo., Elizabeth Page Hambrick and Chaney Carmichael Hambrick both of Marion; two sons, Matthew Graham Hambrick and wife, Elizabeth Nelson Hambrick of Homer, Alaska and David Zachary Hambrick of Lansing, Mich.; one sister, Betsy Hambrick Belew and husband, Sam Belew of Bristol, Tenn.; three brothers-in-law, Tom Hook and wife, Susan, of Phoenix, Ariz., William Page Hook of Boulder, Colo., and David Hook and wife, Chris of Richmond; two grandchildren, Christopher Ryan Shannon and Samuel Martin Hambrick; and two nieces, Beth D. Belew and Patty L. Belew. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m. at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Marion with Pastor Andrew Bansemer officiating. The family received friends Friday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.