Charles Smith Hamby Jr.

1920 - 2010

Charles Smith Hamby Jr. formally of Simpsonville, passed away at Rolling Green Village in Greenville on Wednesday August 18, 2010.
He was born December 1, 1920 in Greenville County, SC to the late Charlie Smith Hamby and Mary Jane Garrett Hamby. He moved to Simpsonville, SC in 1931and resided there for most of his life. Mr. Hamby was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Elwood Compton Hamby.
He is survived by his current wife of seven years, Mary Frances, his son Jerry Hamby and his wife Cindy, granddaughter Courtney Hamby Altizer and her husband Clay, granddaughter Erin Elwood Hamby, and great grand- daughter Cora Brice Altizer; by his stepchildren Mary Linda Cox, Thomas Leroy Cox and his wife Suzanne, Frances Cox Street and her husband Steve, Carmen Cox Taylor and her husband Jeff, and 15 step-grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Betty Barbary of Simpsonville and Mildred Hawthorne of Sumter, and brothers Robert E. Hamby and wife JoAnn of Simpsonville, and Dr. John V. (Dick) Hamby and wife Peggy of Fort Mill, and by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by two brothers-in-law Andy Hawthorne and Red Barbary.
Mr. Hamby was a 1939 graduate of Simpsonville High School where he was an outstanding athlete, lettering in baseball, basketball, football, and track. He was a southpaw first baseman who played American Legion and mill team baseball. He was being scouted by major league teams when he was struck down by crippling arthritis.
Mr. Hamby was president of the first high school class to graduate from the site of the present Simpsonville Civic Auditorium and a member of the last basketball team to play in the basement gymnasium of the old high school. He acted in a number of school and local plays.
Mr. Hamby remained a member of the Simpsonville First Baptist Church from 1934 until present. He served as a deacon for more than 30 years, acting as chairman for one year. He sang in the sanctuary choir for more than 30 years, and was a charter member of the Senior Joyful Hearts Choir. He was a member of the Joy Fellowship from 1982 until present, serving as treasurer for many years. He and his first wife (Miss Dot) worked part-time at the First Baptist Child Development Center for a number of years, deriving great joy from their duties there. He delivered Meals on Wheels for 20 years.
Mr. Hamby was active in the Jaycees, the Rotary Club, and the Lions Club. He was vice-president of the Simpsonville Chamber of Commerce, president of the Hillcrest High School Boosters Club, treasurer of the Simpsonville PTA, and a member of the board of Fox Run Country Club.
A visitation will be held on Saturday August 21, 2010 in the chapel of the First Baptist Church of Simpsonville from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm. The memorial service will be at 2:30pm on Saturday August 21in the chapel of First Baptist Church of Simpsonville.
Cannon Funeral Home Jones Chapel
www.cannonfuneralhome.