James Thomas Hamner Jr.

James Thomas Hamer, Jr. passed away November 21, 2019 in Mobile, AL. He was born June 30, 1930 in Aliceville, AL and was the son of James Thomas Hamner, Sr and Sadie Bertha Hamilton Hamner. Jim was a 1948 graduate of Murphy High School and then graduated from The University of Alabama with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Later returning to the University for a M.A. in School Administration in 1955 and his A.A. Certificate in 1966. He was very involved with the Baptist Student Union while in his four years at the University. Many of his friends from those days remained so his entire life. On June 27, 1952, he married Glorris Gunnels, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grady Gunnels, Sr. They were married 57 years at her death in 2009. They had two children; James Bryant and Gloria Anne. Following graduation, he returned to Mobile to work in the Mobile School System as a teacher and then in 1957, became the youngest Principal in Mobile at Robert E. Lee school. Following Robert E. Lee, in 1959 he became the Principal of Elizabeth Fonde Elementary where he spread his influence over children and faculty members for 33 years. He enjoyed his time there and kept up with his students in the many years following their time at the school. As a highly respected educator, Mr. Hamner touched the lives of thousands of children over his career. He loved to keep up with those students and had a remarkable sense of memory of every child that attended school there including details regarding the former student. Students described Mr. Hamner as being "willing, fair, caring, happy, and busy. These words were reflected on a bulletin board at school when they were asked to describe him in one word. He retired from Elizabeth Fonde in 1992 and went on to work with Student teachers at Spring Hill College for a couple of years. He enjoyed gathering each month at the Retired Teacher's luncheons until no longer able. He will be remembered not only for his dedication to his church First Baptist of Mobile and for his very strong faith in the Lord but for his humble personality and gentle demeanor. He loved Alabama football (Roll Tide). He was totally dedicated to his family, church, and friends. He was greatly loved and will be remembered by all who knew him. Special appreciation to Dr. Noah Whetstone, SAAD's Hospice and special caregivers, Brenda Austin, Linda Daniels, Essie Martin, Shelia McMillian, Cassandra Young, and Laqueta Sylvester for taking wonderful care of him allowing him to remain at home for his last months. Hamner was preceded in death by his parents Sadie Hamilton Hamner and James Thomas Hamner, Sr. and infant son James Bryant Hamner. He is survived by his daughter Gloria Hamner Stewart (Wade), grandchildren Mary Katherine Stewart and Elizabeth Anne Stewart, sister and Brother-in-Law Mary Hamner McDougall (Richard), close cousin Joe Adams (Ginger), cousins, nieces and nephews and countless other relatives and friends. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Mobile. Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church Mobile, 806 Government Street on December 2nd, 2019 from 12:30-2:00p.m. with funeral service to follow at 2:00p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Pine Crest Cemetery, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, AL.