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The death of Jane Hamrick on July 2, 2020 cast a cloak of sadness over both the Brundidge and Troy communities. Hamrick was first a resident of Brundidge, and later in life, she blessed Troy as one of its senior residents.

In Brundidge, Hamrick was a dedicated member of Salem Baptist Church and then a member of First Baptist Church in Troy. At both, she was an active member of Sunday school classes and other church organization.

For 27 years, Hamrick taught kindergarten at Pike Liberal Arts School where she positively impacted the lives of the children she taught. 

When Hamrick moved to Troy, she immediately became actively involved at the Colley Senior Complex. Just as she had made a difference in the lives of children, she brought light and love into the seniors at the complex, said Catherine Jordan, complex director.

“It would be hard to find words to say what Miss Jane has meant to the seniors at the Colley Senior Complex,” Jordan said. “I only had the pleasure and joy of working with Miss Jane for a few years. But, she made an impact on my life just as she did on the lives of so many.”

Jordan said Hamrick began working and volunteering  at the senior center almost from the day it opened. And, she immediately became a friend to the staff and participants alike.

“Miss Jane was a real asset to the center until rather recently when illness kept her away,” Jordan said. “She was always willing to help and willingly served on the advisory board, helping organize programs and activities that would be of interest and value to our participants. And, Miss Jane was a wonderful cook. She loved to bake.”

Jordan said Hamrick’s seven-layer chocolate cake was the best thing she had ever tasted.

“And she made a congealed salad that was almost as good as her chocolate cake,” Jordan said. “She would bring the salad and other pot luck dishes to the Saturday dances at the center. Miss Jane enjoyed doing for others and she delighted in their pleasure at her good cooking.”

Beverly Casey, administrative assistant at the center, worked with Hamrick from the early days of the Colley Senior Complex.

“Miss Jane was one of those who helped get the Saturday night dances underway,” Casey said. “And, the dances were looked forward to by a lot of seniors. She helped get the singles socials started and the pot luck suppers. She also helped get new classes started and she was there to join right in.

“Miss Jane loved to learn new things and she was good at everything she tried. She enjoyed people and they enjoyed her. She was always cheerful and upbeat and was well-loved by everybody at the center.”

Hamrick loved to hear Shelia Jackson sing and Jackson loved “Miss Jane” even more than she loved her seven-layer chocolate cake.

“Miss Jane was one of the kindest, most giving people I have ever known,” Jackson said. “She brought a lot of happiness into the lives of many people from kindergarten kids to senior adults. And she brought a lot of love into my life. I will miss her. We all will miss her.”

Jordan and Casey agreed that Jane Hamrick will be remembered and loved by those who knew her.