Rosemary Hamblin

rosemary hamblin
Rosemary Thurman Hamblin passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, February 2, 2019, at McDowell Place in Danville, KY. Rosemary, the daughter of the late Sarah Elizabeth and Stephen Livingston Thurman, was born on August 25, 1929 in Hodgenville, KY. Rosemary spent her childhood in Lexington, KY where she graduated from Lafayette High School in 1947. She then attended Centre College in Danville, where she majored in English and sang in the school choir. After graduating from Centre, Rosemary became a stewardess for Pan American Airways and American Airlines and met her husband, Robert \"Bob\" Hamblin. Bob and Rosemary had three wonderful children, Robert Nelson Jr., Elizabeth Leigh, and Mary Ann. After her husband Bob\'s death in 1968, Rosemary continued to raise her children in Danville and taught second grade at Jennie Rogers Elementary for twenty five years. She also co-founded \"The Tea Leaf\" restaurant in 1990. In recent years she was a dutiful member of the PEO Sisterhood and the Retired Teachers Association, worked with CASA of the Bluegrass, and was a docent at the Historic McDowell House Museum. Rosemary was very active in the First Christian Church community and enjoyed leading bible study, singing in the choir, and playing handbells. She was very passionate about her faith, and dearly loved her church family. Rosemary is survived by her beloved children, Bobby (Paula) Hamblin of Charleston; Leigh (Mark) Gordon of Richmond; and Mary Ann (Richard) Getty of Lexington; her brother, William (Joan) Thurman of Pinehurst; sister-in-law, Kathy Thurman of Colorado Springs; grandchildren, Tyler (Sam), Mary Alex (Derek), Jennifer (Ben), Robert (Emily), Livingston, Sarah, Elizabeth, Clay, and Stuart; four great grandchildren, Finn, Sawyer, Corbin and Addison and a multitude of nieces and nephews whom she adored. Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Nelson Hamblin of Tupelo, MS; her parents, Stephen and Sarah Elizabeth Thurman of Danville; and her youngest brother, Stephen Phelps Thurman of Colorado Springs. Rosemary was the type of person you meet once in a lifetime. She had the ability to fill an entire room with warmth in an instant and her generosity, intelligence and grace were unparalleled. Rosemary, we know where you\'re going and we\'ll see you there. Your peaceful rest is well deserved. We will love you forever. Visitation will be held from 4 - 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8th at Stith Funeral Home, Danville. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 9, 2019 at First Christian Church, Lexington Ave., Danville. Rev. Joey Pusateri will officiate. A private burial at the Red Hill Cemetery in Hodgenville, KY will follow. Memorials donations are suggested to First Christian Church of Danville or the Elizabeth Thurman Library Fund at the Danville Public Library. Visitation:   4 - 6 p.m.   Friday, February 8, 2019 Stith Funeral Home, Danville Funeral Service:    11 a.m.   Saturday, February 9, 2019 First Christian Church, Lexington Road, Danville

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  1. Family and friends you have my deepest sympathy. This is a difficult time for most. There are basic things that can help anyone get through the pain no matter what age, gender or religious beliefs. Many have been helped with the twelve basics or just a few. You can go to jw.org and get the basics with no cost ever. See the article “Help for those who grieve “ in the magazine section. Anyone can get help and comfort.

  2. I was so very saddened to hear about Rosemary\’s passing. I did not know that she had not been well, so this came as a huge shock. She was my second grade teacher, and I\’ve known her basically my whole life. I will miss her enormous and infectious smile when running into her on the street in Danville, her intense interest in hearing all the new things happening, her sense of humor, her obvious joy for life. I will miss Rosemary. My heart goes out to her wonderful family.

  3. I wrote this on the McDowell House Facebook page, and thought I should repeat it here. She gave my daughter and me a tour of the house maybe six years ago, and she was wonderful. She was so thrilled that we were descendants of Dr. McDowell’s and gave us a particularly excellent telling of the surgery. We also appreciated how honest she was about his slave ownership and how her own feelings on the subject had changed over the years. Her openness to learning and change was truly admirable and I have spoken of her often. I wish now I had let her know how much we appreciated her before she was gone. Time passes too quickly sometimes. Much love to her family from mine. I am grateful for her service to our story.

  4. In 1960 Rosemary and I taught pre-school Sunday School at the old Christian Church. Since she was older than I, she set a great example for me in every aspect of living. I will always be grateful for her patience, kindness and love, and later being such a good teacher for Hugh Gates the year that she had first graders. All of our family loved her and send our sympathy. Marji, Hugh, Robin (Regen) and Hugh Gates Hines.

  5. To the family, my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Please find comfort in the knowledge that God promises to eliminate all the things that have plagued mankind for centuries including pain, suffering and death (Revelation 21:1-5). May these promises from God give you comfort now and real hope for the future. My deepest sympathy.

  6. Dear Bobby, Leigh and Mary Ann and extended family, Central Kentucky has lost a wonderful lady. She was greatly admired for her joyful smile and positive demeanor. She touched many lives leaving such fond memories. God has gifted you to be a blessing to others as did your gracious mother. We will remember you in our prayers as you grieve her passing.

  7. I was shocked to learn of Rosemary’s death. I had not seen her for a few years,but at that time she was still cooking for large numbers of people at church. She was so energetic that I thought she would live on and on for many more years. I was honored to be a guest at her Lexington Ave. home several times. She was a very lovely and kind lady.


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