Thelma Valentine Hamrick, 97, of Austin, Texas died peacefully September 11, 2006, at home. Affectionately known as Chi Chi, she was born May 14, 1909 in Canton, Texas, to Jewelle and Timothy Valentine. After graduating from Central High School in Houston, Texas she attended college in Denton, Texas at the College of Industrial Arts where she earned her elementary education teaching certificate. She was married to Wendell Holmes Hamrick on August 3, 1929. She was a devoted doctor's wife throughout his practice. Their journey began in Austin where he was the company doctor for the construction of the Marshall Ford/Mansfield Dam. In the following years, he served as a Naval physician (Cmdr.) in World War II. After the war they settled in Houston, Texas where he established his medical practice in general surgery and raised their family. She was preceded in death by her husband, daughter Vila Janet Hamrick, sister Janet Valentine Cornitius, and son in law William F. Moreland. She is survived by her son, Wendell H. Hamrick, Jr. and wife Dianna of Seabrook, Texas, daughter, Emily Hamrick Moreland of Austin, Texas. Her grandchildren W. Benjamin Moreland and wife Wendy of Houston, Texas, Eric W. Moreland and wife Kay of Austin, Texas and Jan Moreland Coburn and husband Kirk of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her precious great grandchildren, Lindsay Sayre Moreland and Kelsey Elizabeth Moreland of Houston, Grace Ann Moreland and Georgia Blaine Moreland of Austin, and Emily Ellen Coburn and Perry Lyn Coburn of Austin, Texas. Her enduring positive outlook on life was a joy to everyone who knew her. She had an extremely strong and determined personality which carried her through life's difficult situations. Her personality was beautifully wrapped in a soft gentleness that surrounded everyone with love. She acknowledged that she was on a constant journey of understanding and studying her Christian faith. She shared her faith with anyone willing to listen. A celebration of her life will be held at graveside services in Houston, Texas at Forest Park, Lawndale on Wednesday, September 13th at 2:00 p.m. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to her primary care giver, Judy Ubaldo and the others, Ruby Cox, Mae Alexander and Doris Dixon. The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the Endowment Fund of Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2501 Exposition, Austin, Texas. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78705 (512) 452-8811. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com
Published in the Houston Chronicle on 9/13/2006.