Mrs. Verna Porter Hambley

Verna Porter Hambley passed away peacefully at her daughter’s residence on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. The service will be Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 P.M. at Kimbrell Stern Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at 1:00 before the service. Internment will be at Crown Hill Cemetery Mausoleum. Born in Guin, Alabama (Marion County) on January 7, 1924, she was preceded in death by her parents Samuel Houston Porter and Eva Guin Porter, and her husband (the love of her life) William O. (Bill) Hambley. She graduated from Marion County High School. Longtime Bookstore Manager at Albany Junior College (Darton College), Mrs. Hambley mentored countless students. She served as surrogate mother to many individuals who remain in close contact with her. In 1969 she became a Charter member of the Georgia Bookstore Managers Association which evolved in to the Georgia Association of College Stores. She was twice appointed to the Board of Directors and served terms as Secretary and Treasurer. During WWII she served her nation as a Rosie the Riveter working on B29 Military aircraft at the Bechtel McCone Plant in Birmingham, Alabama. As a member of the Greatest Generation, she always exhibited a firm work ethic, patriotism, selflessness, and the best of the human spirit. A friend to many, Mrs. Hambley had a keen sense of humor and was incredibly generous and thoughtful. She was a family, fun, friends, faith and football-loving Southern lady. She was an avid reader and loved movies and playing cards. Mrs. Hambley enjoyed traveling and especially trips to Las Vegas, Wisconsin, Alabama, Orange Park, Florida, Athens, Georgia and her happy place- Mexico Beach, Florida. Mrs. Hambley was named as a Woman of Worth by her community in 2004. She was a member of the Darton Boosters Club, American Rosie the Riveter Association, The Rebel Nine, and Porterfield United Methodist Church. She is survived by her daughters Carole Hambley Williams of Athens, Ga., Debbie Hambley of Albany, GA, Teresa Hambley Austin (Ray) of Orange Park, Florida, and her “other daughter” Carolyn Hatcher of Albany, Ga. Ten grandchildren: Natalie Williams of Jersey City, N.J., Rachel Williams (Elizabeth), Blaine Williams, Mary Williams (Matt), Chase Williams (Kristin), and Zach Williams of Athens, Georgia, Joshua Austin (Beth) and Jacob Austin (Autumn) of Orange Park, Florida, Caleb Austin (Megan) and Abby Austin Clukey (Drew) of St. Augustine, Florida. Four great grandchildren: Ezekiel Porter, John Baylor, Opal James Hensley-Williams, of Athens, Georgia, and James Ryder Austin of Orange Park, Florida. Her beloved cat, Sparky, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Verna Porter Hambley

January 7, 1924 - March 20, 2019