Kathryn M Bambarger

The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2023 with a Celebration of Life Funeral Service at 12 p.m., with graveside to follow at Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Park with Rev. Scott Moore officiating

Kathryn Martin Bambarger was preceded in death by her parents Richard C. Martin and Mary Scott Martin.

She is survived by her children, Richard Heath Bambarger (Chasity); Philip Thomas Bambarger (Connor); and Adam Edwin Bambarger (Rachel); brother, Bob Martin (Sara); and grandchildren, Bradley Bambarger, Blaine Bambarger, Preston Henderson, Mary Kathryn Bambarger and Bartleigh Hobson and nephew Robert Martin.

Born May 25, 1953, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama she was the proud daughter of Richard and Mary Scott Martin. Her father was a successful car sales manager at Tuscaloosa Chevrolet for 37 years. Mary Scott did social work after graduating from Huntingdon College. Kathy was raised in Mayfair and graduated from Tuscaloosa High in 1971.

While attending The University of Alabama and working part time with her father at Tuscaloosa Chevrolet she met and fell in love with mechanic Chester Bambarger. They soon married and together started Bambarger Wrecker service in 1972. That love grew into starting a family and they had their first child Richard Heath in 1975 followed by Philip Thomas in 1980 and Adam Edwin in 1981. Kathy's dedication and passion for being a mom was her greatest gift. She knew exactly what pure love was and that was evident in the raising of her boys. Over the years baseball, football, basketball, Halloween and Christmas decorating, beach trips, church gatherings, dance recitals, pageants, drag racing, concerts, theater and travelling were a regular part of life. She loved her swim class twice a week with very valued friends for well over 10 years. She jokingly called it her social hour.

She was proud of Heath and Adam for continuing their dad's towing and recovery business legacy and thrilled for Philip living his dancing, entertainment and hospitality dreams for 21 years in New York City.

Late 2020 Philip returned home from NYC reuniting with his family, living with Kathy and spending some much needed missed quality time with her and his brothers.

Kathy lived the definition of motherly love and poured her every ounce of being into making sure her loved ones were happy. She was smart, witty, had the greatest handwriting in the world, made you laugh till you cried, had a smile that made you melt, took up for her boys and their rights and was the most selfless person you'll ever know.

Kathy's later years presented some health issues that she most certainly stayed on top of and did everything in her power to fight through it. She was tough as nails and proved that strength every day of her life. You've never met another human that rose above challenges like she did. Her last days on this earth were surrounded by the tremendous love that she gave all those years right back in return by hundreds of her friends and family. Her three boys were with her and held her when she took her last breath. A perfectly constructed symphony of love that could only happen with the grace of God.

Serving as pallbearers will be Bradley Bambarger, Blaine Bambarger, Preston Henderson, Robert Martin, Jonathan Beavers and Jeff Lancaster.

Honorary pallbearers will be DCH CICU and Bambarger Wrecker Service, Inc. employees.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of West Alabama or a charity of one’s choice.

Sunset Brown-Service Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, is honored to serve the Bambarger family during their time of bereavement. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetBrown-Funeral.com