Bro. Newton Hambrick

On April 22, 1934, Joseph Newton Hambrick was born in Pennington, Texas to Robert Elijah Hambrick and Ida Mae Davis Hambrick. He was the fourth of eight children. In the early years, his family worked as sharecroppers in the remote areas around Groveton, Texas. Their only transportation to town was a wagon and two mules. With the outbreak of World War II, the family moved to LaPorte, Texas, where his dad worked in the shipyards. After the war ended, his dad worked for Shell Oil Refinery until his retirement. Newton graduated from LaPorte High School in 1952, and began working driving a furniture truck. At 19 years old, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he intended to make a career. This presented a problem since he was scheduled to be stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California and his 15 year old girlfriend, Tutsie, would not be able to be with him. He solved the problem by proposing and marrying his sweetheart and they moved together. He trained as a jet engine mechanic and advanced to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Newton felt the call to preach on December 27, 1953. While in the Air Force, he fulfilled his call by working as a supply preacher in nearby churches. Eventually, he helped start a mission church and became the pastor of Airport Road Baptist Mission in Merced, California. God stirred his heart to move into full time ministry, so he was honorably discharged from the Air Force after 8 years of service. His first pastorate in Texas was at Petty Baptist Church in Petty, Texas. In 1963, he was called to Calvary Baptist Church in Paris, Texas. While serving there, he attended Paris Junior College and he received a Diploma of Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth in 1968. During his ministry, he served as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Queen City, First Baptist Church of Groveton, Eastside Baptist Church in Henderson, Herty Baptist Church in Lufkin, Calvary Baptist Church in Cleveland, and Eastside Baptist Church in Rusk, where he supposedly retired in 2004. After retirement, he served as pastor at Tyler Street Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Austonio Baptist Church in Austonio, and New Hope Baptist Church in Gary.

His life was a reflection of service and ministry. His love of family, church and community was only exceeded by his deep love of Jesus Christ. He was a bright and shining example of a Godly man to those who knew or met him. When asked why he was still pastoring churches into his eighties after supposed retirement, his reply was "God called me to preach and He hasn't uncalled me yet."

Newton was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Rachel Leota "Tutsie" Long Hambrick; siblings, Marie Hambrick Land, Aaron Hambrick, Robert "Junior" Hambrick, John Calvin Hambrick; as well as grandson, Christopher Glenn Hambrick.

He is survived by brother, Carol Hambrick; sister, Frankie Hambrick Capers; sister, Margaret Hambrick Jordan; son, Glenn Hambrick, and wife Kelly; son, Bobby Hambrick, and wife Brenda; daughter, Sherry Smith, and husband Mike; and daughter, Patience Maples, and husband Drake. He was blessed to have 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Jackson officiating. Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Groveton, Texas. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Bobby Hambrick, Jamie Hambrick, Adam Hambrick, Jeff Smith, Jacob Maples, Robbie Maples, Jeffrey Grisham, and Mike Clouds. Honorary pallbearers are the Deacon Body at Central Baptist Church of Carthage.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.