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Jane Smith Hamrick, age 92, a longtime resident of Troy, Alabama, passed away Thursday, July 2, 2020, following a brief illness.

A private family graveside service will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at Green Hills Memorial Cemetery with Christopher Ivey officiating.

Ms. Hamrick was born in Johnson, Tennessee, to Pete Franklin and Dexter Smith. She attended Jellico High School where she graduated as the Class of 1946 Salutatorian. She went on to study at Howard College (now known as Samford University) and Troy University and received a bachelor’s degree in education. In 1956, she decided to officially call Pike County home. Ms. Hamrick was a beloved kindergarten teacher at Pike Liberal Arts School for 27 years and dedicated many extra hours to their after-school program. In “retirement” she found lots of time to hone-in on her cooking skills and even launched a catering career from her home.

She was a valued member in the community, holding many positions in her churches: Salem Baptist Church in Brundidge and First Baptist Church of Troy, teaching a Bible class at Noble Lodge, serving on the advisory board with the Colley Senior Complex and participating as an active member in the Complex classes, and organizing and heading the Troy University Circle of Friends. She loved socializing, always making time to play cards with friends, enjoying plays and concerts, visiting her family, and sharing her days with all her grandchildren. She was an inspirational foundation for many young, impressionable minds and a treasured educator in the area whose legacy will forever be remembered.

Ms. Hamrick is survived by her children, Sheila Pavlovec (Richard) of Helena, AL, Cheryl Nielsen (Knud) of Evergreen, AL, Bill Hamrick (Gail) of Montgomery, AL, and Becky Beck (Gary) of Fairhope, AL; grandchildren, Russell Austin (Ashley), Andrew Austin (Ginger), Paul Nielsen (Robyn), William Nielsen (Allie), Hayden Sentenn (Andy), Hunter Hamrick (Mackenzie), Chris Ivey (Kasey); nine great-grandchildren; brother, Roy Smith (Susie) of Dayton, OH; brother-in-law, John Martin of Center, TX; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Pete Franklin and Dexter Smith; brother and sister-in-law, Pete and Betty Lou Smith; sister and brother-in-law, Charles and Betty Sager; sister, Mary Ann Martin, and half-sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Ellis Rorer.

Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to Pike Liberal Arts Kindergarten (C/O Trecy Gray, PO Drawer 329, Troy, AL 36081), Senior Adult Program-First Baptist Church (200 West College Street, Troy, AL 36081), or to the Pike County Chapter-American Cancer Society (3054 McGehee Rd., Montgomery, AL 36111). Friends and family can sign the guestbook online at greenhillsfuneralhome.net. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hamrick family.