Ralph Hamil, devoted husband, loving father, doting grandfather, encourager, loyal friend, faithful servant, selfless giver and passionate lover of his Heavenly Father…words fail to pay tribute to a man so loved and cherished, died Monday, October 8, 2012 at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. Visitation will be held at 1:00 PM today followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM all at First Baptist Church of Madison. Entombment will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland.
From the onset of the disease throughout the long and difficult process even in his darkest hour amidst the pain and horror of cancer draining the life from his physical body, he remained strong, determined and faithful. He knew without question who held his hand and found true contentment and joy in Jesus Christ no matter what state he found himself in. The sparkle in his eyes and quick wit arose from the joy in his heart and blessed all. He was truly the hands and feet of Jesus to everyone he came in contact with. His ministry was far and wide, starting with his family and extending to the teachers and children at the schools where he prayer walked, to people he met in the grocery store, to the doctors and nursing staff who cared for him until the end.
He heard the voice of his Heavenly Father and he responded without question. His love of his family was only surpassed by his love of his Lord whom he knew intimately. Always a man of few words, during his final days a river of wisdom flowed forth and we drank in every word. His focus throughout this life was to point everyone to his Saviour and to glorify HIs Father. As we heard over and over, "when you go to encourage Ralph, you always walk away being encouraged by Ralph". His focus was on lost souls and he became a constant intercessor.
His legacy will be the fruit of his labor and we know that when he arrived at his final destination he heard these words from his Father, "well done good and faithful servant".
Matthew 9:37, 38
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.
Son of Robert Brantley and Ruthalene Bailey Hamil, born in Leake County Mississippi. Preceded in death by brothers Guy Hamil, Eugene Hamil, Billy Hamil, James Hamil and sister Amelia Delores Knight. Survived by wife, Alice McHenry Hamil, daughters Rita Rutland (Jeff) and Leigh Stokes (Jim); grandchildren, Zac and Reagan Rutland, Bailey, Bradley and Presley Stokes; brothers Ray Hamil (Jean), Bobby Hamil (Ramona), Dillard Hamil (Myrtie), Jack Hamil, and Kenneth Hamil (Nellie Jo).
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Lottie Moon Foreign Missions Offering at IMB P.O. Box 6767, Richmond VA 23230.
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