Lester P. Hamrick

LESTER PRICE HAMRICK was born on September 25, 1916 and entered into eternal life early Thursday morning, March 30, 2006. He was one of ten children God gave to the late Albert and Addie Stamey Hamrick in Blacksburg, South Carolina, and has now joined his parents, siblings and step-sons in the presence of the Lord. He was educated in the public schools of South and North Carolina and received his high school diploma from Dunbar Evening School in Baltimore city. Lester P. Hamrick began is walk with the Lord early in life at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Blacksburg, S.C. He was married to the late Connie M. White Hamrick and to this union one son, James Albert Hamrick was born. Upon migrating to Baltimore, he joined Faith Baptist Church where he served and led in many areas of the church's ministries. While there, he acknowledged the call to preach in November, 1950 and was licensed under the pastorship of the late Rev. Simon Williams and was ordained by the late Rev. Walter E. Paige. Rev. Hamrick's formal religious training was further pursued at the Maryland Baptist School of Religion where he was a faithful student and received many certificates. He also attended Morris Brown College and Virginia Seminary. Rev. Hamrick organized the Second Progressive Baptist Church which merged with New Antioch Baptist Church where he served as Assistant Pastor to Rev. Willie S. Chambers for numerous years. On May 6 1964, he was united in marriage to the former Alice Barksdale. Rev. Hamrick was active in the Baptist Congress of Christian Education and the United Baptist Missionary Convention on the state and national levels where he received the prestigious Miles Washington Connor Award in 1982. He brought a new level of service to the organization and was elevated to the office of President. Rev. Hamrick united with Greater Gethsemane Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Jesse R. Halsey. As one who had a great appreciation for various types of Christian music, Rev. Hamrick and Rev. Chambers organized the "Christianaires Community Singers" in 1949 and later sang for many years with the "Christian Crusaders". Whatever Rev. Harmrick did, he did it early. For over 30 years, he rose very early (3:30 am.) And off to Sparrows Point he went where he was employed by Bethlehem Steel until his retirement in 1981. Rev. Hamrick was an academically distinguished and devoted family member. His legacy embraced a unique love for the Lord and he served Him with much joy. He loved his family dearly and if anyone was in need of anything it wasn't too 'much for him to make sure the need was met. His many memories will be cherished by: wife, Alice; son, James Albert; daughter, Ella Battle; sister-in-law, Bernice Hamrick and three other sisters-in-law; two brothers-inlaw; a devoted niece and nephew, Elder Willie Mae Butler and Reginald Clark; 12 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and especially the Greater Gethsemane Baptist Church family.

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Lester P. Hamrick

September 25, 1916 - March 30, 2006