Mrs. Judy Dare Hamrick

Judy Herndon Hamrick, 82, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on November 3, 2024. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. Judy was born on March 30, 1942, in Bassett, Virginia to William and Ruth Herndon. Her immediate family included an older sister, Pat, and two younger siblings, William, Jr. and Teresa. She committed her life to Christ in her Junior year of High School and attended Piedmont Bible College.

While at Piedmont, she rekindled a friendship with Frank Hamrick that began at Cherrystone Youth Camp and turned into a romance that would last 62 years. They were married on June 9, 1962, and made their first home in Winston Salem, NC. While in Winston, they had two children, Joy Ruth Hamrick (1964) and Frank Hamrick, Jr. (1965). Their mutual commitment to Christ eventually led them to Rocky Mount, NC, where they ministered to the teenagers of Falls Road Baptist Church. While ministering in Rocky Mount, God blessed them with two more children, Christy Hamrick (1974) and Laura Hamrick (1977).

Judy served not only the teenagers of the church but also served as a teacher at Falls Road Baptist Christian School for over 30 years. Judy had a gift for inspiring children and teenagers to sing from the heart that was reflected in the expressions of joy on their face. It was often said that “no one can get children or teenagers to sing like Judy Hamrick can.” In addition to music, Judy also taught school and oversaw the production of numerous plays. Her productions covered everything from writing the scripts, to creating costumes, making stage arrangements, overseeing rehearsals and live performances. What made everything she did so unique was that her passion and love for Christ inspired deep emotions not only in the students who performed but also the audiences who attended. Judy, in the end, was a servant of Christ, her family and her students.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ruth Herndon as well as her sister, Patsy Ferguson and brother-in-law, Charles Ferguson. She leaves a treasure trove of memories for her husband, Frank Hamrick; children, Joy Heim (Jack), Frank Hamrick, Jr (Dawn), Christy Hamrick, Laura Schank (Chris); siblings, Teresa Hedgepeth (Jeff) and William Herndon (Faye); grandchildren, Abigail Dixon (Micah), John Heim (Catie), Jordan Hamrick (Summersby), Graham Hamrick, Luke Hamrick (Erin), Aubrey Hamrick, Christian Hamrick, Stella Schank, Eliza Schank; great-grandchildren, Sloan Dixon, Wells Dixon, Theodore Dixon, Amelia Heim, Gwyn Heim, Wren Hamrick and Conor Hamrick.

A service to honor God will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Englewood Baptist Church, 1350 S Winstead Ave, Rocky Mount, NC 27803. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:00 am – 12:45pm and other times at the home. A private burial will be held at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memoriam to Crossroads Baptist Church, 3224 Benvenue Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or Positive Action for Christ, 502 W Pippen St, Whitakers, NC 27891.