Winston Jennings Hamby

Winston Jennings Hamby, 76, of Benton, passed away February 25, 2012. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on October 21, 1935. He was preceded in death by his parents, W.J. and Annie Hamby. He was a member of Crosswalk Family of God in Little Rock. He lived most of his life in Texas, where he graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont in 1953 and Abilene Christian College in 1961. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and played trombone in the 79th U.S. Army Band, based in Fort Clayton, Panama. In 1963, he married the love of his life, Mardell Bittick. He worked in public accounting and banking before becoming one of the first youth ministers in the Church of Christ. He served churches and mentored teenagers in Lovington, Hobbs and Roswell, N.M.; and Big Spring and Beaumont, Texas. Later, he worked for Service Corporation International for 17 years. In 2009, he and Mardell moved to Benton, Ark., to be close to their two granddaughters. Winston's life was one of love and laughter. His life was rich with stories, and he was gifted at telling them. On October 29, 2011, he told one of his stories on "Tales From the South," a local radio show that broadcasts to an international audience. He was a passionate husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, South Park Greenie, ACC Wildcat and, above all, a passionate believer in God. He was also passionate about people, whether he knew them or not. He was fond of making new friends wherever he went—even inside a gas station while his family waited impatiently in the car to get going on their vacation. He loved music such as the big band sounds of Glenn Miller, early rock ‘n' roll, praise and worship music, and he even tolerated his teenage children's music fairly well. He was also an accomplished songwriter, and he marked the births of each of his granddaughters by writing songs for them. Winston is survived by Mardell Hamby, his wife of 48 years; son, Brian Hamby; daughter and son-in-law Deana and Chad Nall; granddaughters, Julia and Jenna Nall; and sister Ann King and a host of extended family and friends, all who will miss him dearly. Family visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28 at Griffin Leggett Forest Hills Funeral Home, 10200 Hwy. 5 North, Alexander, Ark. 72002 (501) 455-1067. A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 29 with Reverend Chad Nall officiating at the funeral home. Burial is private. Please share your stories of Winston at www.griffinleggettforesthills.com.