
Gwendolyn "Gwen" Hamby
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Gwendolyn "Gwen" Hamby
Gwen Hamby, age 90, of Rutledge passed away on December 5, 2023. She was born on March
12, 1933 in Hall County to the late Lillie Mae Wheeler Kennedy and the late John E. Kennedy.
She was preceded in death by her son: the late James "Jimmy" Hamby and brother: the late
Walton Kennedy.
Surviving are sisters and brother-in-law: Carolyn Hawk (Elmer), Evelyn Cureton, Janie Kennedy;
several nieces and nephews.
Gwen Hamby was a talented and successful entrepreneur. She began working at a young age
at a shoe factory in Buford, Ga. After moving to Madison, she quickly became a supervisor at
the sewing plant before going into business for herself. She became a well-known seamstress
and owned a sewing shop in downtown Madison for many years. In 1994, she was asked to
work as the seamstress on the movie set of "Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All" filming
in Madison. In addition, she worked for many years as Manager of the Kentucky Fried Chicken,
giving many local teenagers their first job in the workforce. She was known for her strong work
ethic and generous heart. She cultivated her farm into a lucrative poultry production business,
harvested and sold pecans, and continued working as a seamstress from her home for over 40
years. Never to sit idle, she also became a successful Mary Kay cosmetics consultant. Family
and friends were always welcome and many enjoyed hunting and fishing on her property.
Ms. Hamby was a member of Sandy Creek Baptist Church and served as pianist and Sunday
School Teacher there for over two decades. In the 70's, she served as a missionary in Haiti,
sharing her love of Jesus Christ as part of the Sandy Creek Mission Outreach. Later, she
attended Madison Church of God, played piano and taught Sunday School. Ms. Hamby visited
and played the piano at Madison Nursing Home regularly. She organized and played keyboard
for a gospel group that entertained locally. She volunteered and supported the Source of Light
Mission in Madison and also donated generously to many other churches and Christian
charities.
Later in life she enjoyed spending time at her Lake Oconee property and developed a
subdivision near Eatonton. Ms. Hamby has spent her last few years as a resident of Savannah
Court of Lake Oconee in Greensboro.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, 2:30 p.m. at the Chapel of
Meadows Funeral Home with the Pastor E. Corey Sexton officiating. Visitation is 12:30-2:30p.m. Interment will follow at Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery.
Meadows Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of arrangements. Please sign our guestbook online
at www.meadowsfuneralhomeinc.com.
