Lavada Hambright

Among the many things that brought Lavada Hambright great joy was foremost her family, working in her garden, and taking time out of life’s busyness to enjoy a little fishing up north. Lavada was a woman of simple means and never required or asked for much. She enjoyed many friendships through the years, and with her bubbly personality and great sense of humor, it always proved to be a wonderful time enjoying her company. Gone but never to be forgotten, Lavada will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

Born on June 5, 1918, Lavada was a welcome addition in the lives of her parents, John and Alma (Burgess) Sharp of Logan, Illinois. A significant time in our nation’s history, the end of World War I was a welcome relief for many, but cause for great concern was the Spanish flu which reached epidemic proportions. The third oldest of eventually eight children, Lavada joined her older sisters, Eve and Juanita, and later welcomed her younger siblings, Virgil, Quincy, Buford, Revola, and Rosetta.

Lavada’s mother remained at home as a homemaker while her father, a hard working man, worked in the coal mines until the time Lavada was ten years old when they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. She attended the local schools, but like many young people of her generation, Lavada left her schooling behind in the eighth grade. She began cleaning houses and babysat to help make ends meet. Money was always scarce for Lavada and her family which rang especially true when the crash of the stock market ushered in the Great Depression.

While attending a dance party with some friends in Kalamazoo, Lavada met the young man who would make her life complete, John Hambright. The two dated a short while before exchanging vows of marriage on August 8, 1935 when Lavada was a young woman of 17. They made their home in a big farm house behind Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo where in time they welcomed the love of five children into their hearts with the births of Ronald, Alvin, Marilyn, Kenneth, and Melvin. They did a little farming, and their farm was complete with goats, cows, pigs, and chickens which no less made for numerous chores. With her unending love for dogs, there was always a dog or two around and Lavada loved their companionship.

Lavada made a good, loving home for John and their children. She was the best cook, and never needed a recipe of any sort. She had a way all her own for whipping up the best meals and no one ever left her table hungry. Known for her green tomato pie, it was always a family favorite. Through the years, every holiday and special occasion was celebrated at her home where she seemed to make the festivities extra special. Thanksgiving and Christmas was always spent together as a family and as her family grew, the house seemed to get smaller and smaller, but it brought Lavada great happiness having everyone she loved and adored by her side.

Family vacations were especially enjoyed up north fishing at their cabin at Gray Lake where her family had the best of times. Lavada also liked camping, and she loved to go mushroom hunting. For many years, she and John played cards with good friends every Friday night while all the kids played together. In their free time they also loved taking in the races, and Lavada loved tending to her garden where she found much peace. When it came to music, she liked listening to country, and she tinkered with crafting over the years, too.

When her children were old enough to take care of themselves, Lavada began working outside the home at Shakespeare’s. With her outgoing and social personality, it was right up Lavada’s alley working at such a fun and lively place. In 1950 she went on to work at the state hospital as an attendant nurse. As grandchildren and in time, great-grandchildren came along Lavada was truly in her element. She helped out when she could, and always welcomed them to her home with open arms.

Lavada’s life was not measured in the things she counted as possessions, the amount of money she had in the bank or the accolades she received, but rather her deep abiding love she so freely shared. A fun-loving woman who touched the hearts of many, she will be dearly remembered and lovingly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Lavada L. (Sharp) Hambright passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. Lavada was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 49 years, John, her siblings: Virgil, Quincy, Buford, Revola, Juanita and Rosetta, two daughters-in-law, three sons: Alvin, Melvin and Kenneth Sr. and by a grandson: Ron Jr. Surviving is her son, Ronald Hambright Sr.; daughter, Marilyn Ballard; sister, Eve Smothers, 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Visit with her family and friends and view her life story film on Monday, October 12 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main St. (649-649-1697). A service will follow at 2:00 PM at the same location. Memorial donations in her memory can be made to Riverview Manor or to the South County Fire Authority. Please visit Lavada’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory or photo and sign her online memory book.