Jane Watts Hamby

Jane Watts Hamby passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 15, 2025, in her home at Kings Bridge Retirement Community. Jane was born on August 21, 1930, to Elbert and Ruth Watts, prosperous tobacco farmers in Frankfort, Kentucky. She was the youngest of five, one sister and three brothers. In the onset of The Great Depression when Jane was young, her family lost their farm. They relocated to a much smaller farm in rural Kentucky with a tight knit church community and neighbors. All three of Jane’s brothers served honorably in the United States Armed Forces during WWII. Despite hardship, Jane grew up with a love of music, played any sport she could with her next eldest sibling, Junie, and developed a vivacious spirit that could make good of many circumstances.

In her late teens, Jane went to Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, to learn secretarial skills. She later worked in the Kentucky State Capital as an executive secretary to state officials.

Jane met James J. Hamby in the capital after he had served honorably in the United States Airforce and had graduated from the University of Georgia. Jim was employed as a Landscape Architect in the newly established Kentucky State Parks. They married in December of 1955 in Frankfort and shortly thereafter moved to Atlanta, Georgia, for a professional opportunity as a Land Planner with the United States government.

Jane and Jim had three children, James (Jay) Ashmore, Sara Jane and Kathryn (Kathy) Ruth. Jane and Jim provided a beautiful, secure home on Oak Grove Road for their three children to flourish both spiritually and physically. She cared for her son, Jay, who was born with Down Syndrome, for over 60 years in her home. She was a loving advocate for him and many other children with disabilities in a time when resources were few. Jane and Jim were married 63 years and were longtime faithful members of Second Ponce de Leon Baptist church in Atlanta. Jane loved her family, her neighbors and her church. She was a great cook, a good tennis player, served with the special needs community (which was very close to her heart), and enjoyed the Atlanta Braves, UGA football and Kentucky Wildcat basketball. She made friends with most everyone who crossed her path.

Jane’s faith in God through Jesus Christ was so evident to her family and friends. She leaves her family a beautiful and eternal legacy of faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Her family will greatly miss time spent playing music, eating around a table, laughing and visiting the ocean with their “Mama” and “Nonnie.”

Jane is preceded in death by her husband, James J. Hamby and her son, Jay Hamby. She is survived by her daughters, Sara Hamby Rives Spickler (Doug) and Kathy Hamby Carter (Stephen). She was beloved by her five grandchildren, Landon Rives (Caroline), Amanda Claire Renfrow (Thomas), Abigail Poundstone (Jack), Kathryn Mosley (John) and Emily Craft (Andrew). Jane is also survived by her nine great grandchildren, two of whom are yet to be born. Her eighth great grandchild, Watts, will be lovingly named for his great grandmother.

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness. I say to myself, “ The Lord is my portion; therefore I will Hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:21-24

Memorial service will be held Thursday, August 21, at 11:00 am in the Pavilion at King'sBridge Retirement Community, followed by a reception. King'sBridge Retirement Community, 3055 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, Ga 30329.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Annandale Village Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to the care and well being of intellectually and developmentally disabled adults. Kindly indicate “In memory of Jay Hamby’s mother” with any donation. Annandale Village, 3500 Annandale Lane, Suwanee, Ga 30024