Mary Martha Hamby began her life story on June 12, 1925 in Tarkio, MO. Mary was one of 10 children born to Ira and Ann Smith.

Growing up on a farm was hard work but at the end of a long day the kids would play on the pump organ or have a big game of dominos. Mary had a 10th grade education then attended Bible school in Waxahachie, TX. She returned to Tarkio after one semester. A young sailor caught her eye and on March 31, 1950 Mary wed the love of her life Jessie Hamby.

Carrying on tradition Mary and Jessie worked on the Smith family farm. In 1952, they welcomed daughter Mary Ellen and in 1954 a son Ben. Prompted by Mary's sister Blanche, Mary and Jessie moved their family of 4 in 1955 to Springfield, MO looking for employment at Lily Tulip. Yvonne arrived in 1960 to complete the Hamby family.

Mary was never afraid of work and held several jobs in her lifetime. She worked as a cook and bus driver for Willard School District, a receptionist for Maranatha Village and retired from Assemblies of God Headquarters.

Growing up in a big family made Mary a competitor. She played golf and boasts of 3 hole in ones and has the personalized license plate 3N1-GLF. Jessie and Mary were charter members at Greene Hills Country Club and played many games of golf together until Mary started outplaying Jessie! She also enjoyed bowling, fishing and hunting.

God blessed Mary with the gift of music. She was the East Side Assembly of God pianist even though she never had a piano lesson. She was always eager to share her talents and her love for the Lord.

Mary loved to dress up and usually had the shoes to match. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, loved to play scrabble, dominos and puzzles.

Ordering from magazines was always exciting to Mary. She loved giving her granddaughters the free gifts she would get from her orders. They loved it when she came visiting with her bag of treasures. For family and friends that visited Mary at her home, you are sure to remember her visitor book she would ask you to sign every time you stopped in!

The most amazing thing is that Mary never missed an opportunity to praise God and share His love with others.

The last six months of her journey were difficult but her faith was always strong. On December 12, 2017, her life on earth ended but her new pain free life with her heavenly Father began.

She was a woman of faith and loved her family. She survived by her husband Jessie of 67 years, her sister Lillian, daughter Mary Ellen Crighton (husband Ron) Willard, MO, son Ben Hamby (wife Nancy) Winter Springs, FL, Yvonne Clay (husband Mike) Fort Worth, TX, 8 grandchildren: Candy Dake (husband Chuck), Kara Crighton-Smith (husband Troy), Amy Sims (husband John), Christina Beagle (husband Jim), Jessica Figueroa (husband Kenni), Josh Hamby (wife Kara), Kim Ritter (husband David), Nick Clay (friend Gen), and 15 great grandchildren: Laynie Dake, Carson Dake, Madison Craig, Montana Craig, Jada Smith, Josie Berry, Ella Sims, Lillian Sims, Caitlyn Beagle, Reese Beagle, Olivia Hamby, Brooke Hamby, Keagan Figueroa, Elisabeth McKee, and Tyler Oliver.

Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, and friend. Mary has touched many lives and we are better because of the way she lived life!