Dr. Ector L. Hamrick

Dr. Ector L. Hamrick

Suffolk - Rev. Dr. Ector Lee Hamrick, 82, died April 30, 2016 of complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Hamrick is survived by his wife, Carol Inscoe Hamrick; daughter, Linda H. Francis (Richard) of Portsmouth; son, Timothy L. Hamrick (Dawn) of Boise, ID; and grandchildren, Christopher L. Francis, Sean M. Francis, Alexander J. Hamrick, Katherine A. Hamrick; and foster child, Duwenn B. Krammer. He is also survived by brother, W. Keever Hamrick and sister, Emily A. Mayes.

Ector was born in Cleveland County, NC to Victor and Rachel Hamrick, who predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Lamar S. and Fred E. Hamrick and sisters Nellie S. Fraser, Annie R. Bridges, and Nancy J. Mayes.

Dr. Hamrick graduated from Wake Forest University and received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served churches in North Carolina, Indiana, and Virginia. He and his wife were appointed missionaries of the Home Mission Board, SBC. Dr. Hamrick was deeply involved in work with the poor, the resettlement of refugees, a Philipino ministry, and worked to establish the Seafarer's Ministry in Portsmouth. While serving as the Director of Missions, Dr. Hamrick also led in the integration of the Portsmouth Baptist Association. For over 30 years Dr. Hamrick worked with Hope Tree Services (formerly Virginia Baptist Children's Home), including several years as president of the board. He was Pastor Emeritus of Port Norfolk Baptist Church, Portsmouth.

Dr. Hamrick was an active Rotarian, having a 100% attendance record, serving as president of the Churchland Rotary Club for one term. He and Carol attended three Rotary International meetings and traveled with Rotarians to Guyana, SA on three occasions. On the third trip the Hamricks discovered a four year old Amerindian child in need of surgery, who soon came to live with them.

Though Dr. Hamrick will be buried in the cemetery behind Churchland Baptist Church, with a marker over his grave, that is not how you will best remember him. You will see the touch of his ministry in refugees that have been put on the path to a life of freedom and citizenship; in poverty-stricken families who have found that life can be better; in homeless and mentally challenged children and young adults who now have a safe home; in churches who have been enriched and healed because of his ministry; in many children of the world who heard about Jesus because Ector taught them; and in the hearts of a family who loved him and always looked to him for guidance.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Port Norfolk Baptist Church (General Fund), Portsmouth or to Hope Tree Family Services, Salem, VA.

Rev. Terry Taylor will conduct a funeral service at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in Churchland Baptist Church. The family will be available for viewing and visitation in Churchland Baptist Church 45 min. prior to the service. The family will receive friends in Port Norfolk Baptist Church Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m. There will be a celebration of Ector's life at a later date. Burial in Churchland Baptist Church Cemetery will be private. Loving Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.lovingfuneralhome.com.