Charles Donald "Donnie" Hamby

    Charles “Donnie” Hamby, 74 of Lanett, Alabama went to be with Jesus on Saturday April 17, 2021. He passed away at the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City.  He had a devastating battle with his lungs that he could no longer fight due to the severe damage he was left with from the COVID-19 Coronavirus.   

    He was born on April 16, 1947 to Joe & Jerline Hamby in West Point, GA. and had a sister that he dearly loved, Peggy Sue Hamby. She later married Marion Hollis and they had 4 children, Sharon, Rachel, Jonathan & Jody. Donnie loved them with all his heart. 

He grew up here in the Valley area and graduated from Lanett High School, then went on to join the Military. He was always so proud to be a Veteran of the United States Army. It was such an honor to him to serve his Country that he loved so much. He later went to work at the local Piggly Wiggly as a Co & Assistant Manager and worked there for many years. He loved the people; it was like a ministry to him. He always wanted to help people any way he could and that was an open door for him for a very long time. 

    He was a long-time member of the Lanett First Church of the Nazarene and for years, he loved working with the bus ministry and became an ordained Minister of the Gospel in the Nazarene Church. Even though he never pastored a church, he lived the life of service and tried to help people all he could for his entire life.

He loved the Lord and no matter what came his way, he never lost his faith. He kept on believing.   

    He loved his family and we all loved him. He loved his Uncle “Buddy” & Aunt Thelma and all his cousins, nieces & nephews. He lived with us for years. We had been fishing & hunting buddies all our life, so it was only natural to help take care of him when he needed it. He had spent a lifetime helping everybody else. 

    After 71 years of being blessed with good health, he had a devastating life changing turn. He was paralyzed after surgery and could no longer do all the things he loved so much or even care for himself, but God in His Mercy still was with Him. He kept the faith and fought as hard as he could to the very end.  

COVID was not kind to him and damaged his lungs too much to survive double pneumonia even months later. 

    He’s with Jesus now and is no longer confined to a bed or a Scooter chair... We just know he’s already seen all those he loved so much who’ve gone on before him like his Mom & Dad, Joe & Jerline Handley Hamby; his sister, Peggy Sue Hamby; his bro-in-law, Marion Hollis; his uncle, Jay “Buddy” Handley; his aunt, Margaret Handley Morris; his cousin, Linda Howard; his nephew, Michael Scott Barnes “Scotty”; his cousins by marriage, Kent Vickers, Jerrall Skinner, & Jerry Barnes; even his grandparents, Charlie & Shelley Handley & Annie Handley; and so many more... They are having a time!! 

    For the rest of us still here, we have to keep fighting the fight & keeping the faith! We are his aunt, Thelma Handley; his cousin & best friend, Martha Handley, both of Lanett, AL; his cousins, Betty Vickers, Patsy Skinner, Barbara (Tommy)Tittle, all in the Valley area; his cousins, James (Katrina) Handley of Nashville, TN; his nieces & nephews, Sharon (Amy) Hollis, Rachel (Elisa) Aguilera, Jonathan Hollis, and Jody Hollis; also, Donovan (Vanessa) Moistner, Ethan & Abby Moistner, all of Indiana... and There are so many more... 

    Donnie Hamby, you are so loved, and you will be missed in this world, but we will see you when we get there! Tell everybody we love them & miss them!! What a celebration we are going to have when we all get there! 

    Thank you to all who have taken the time to pray for our family. We appreciate so much all the support and acts of kindness that has been given. This has been very difficult! Because of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, we will be having a private memorial service at a later date. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

We love you and we pray that The Good Lord will bless you and keep you & your family safe!

 Visit www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to sign the online guest book.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley, AL In Charge of Arrangements

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