Lyons Alexander Hamblen
November 9, 1922 ~ June 10, 2009
Resided in:
Hendersonville, NC
Lyons Alexander Hamblen, 86, of Hendersonville, passed away on June 10, 2009 after a brief illness.
A native of Hawkins County, TN, Mr. Hamblen grew up in Surgoinsville. He was the youngest son of Charles and Flora Johnson Hamblen. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Charles H. Jr., Dana Harmon and J. Fred Hamblen.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Muriel Bennett Hamblen; one daughter, Carole H. Fowler and her husband, George, of Wayne, PA and Singapore; one son, Lyons Alexander Hamblen, Jr. and his wife, Elva of Morristown, TN and three grandchildren, Alexander Hamblen Fowler, Julielle Alexandria Hamblen and Lyons Alexander Hamblen, III.
Drafted during his sophomore year in college, Mr. Hamblen served in the US Army's 35th Infantry division, the "Santa Fe". During WWII, he saw combat in the European Theater, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded five battle stars, a Certificate of Merit and the Bronze Star.
Following V-E Day, Mr. Hamblen was a catcher for his division's baseball team, the Santa Fe Indians, playing in Koblenz, Germany, where he was a teammate and competitor of several major league players.
After the war, he graduated from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN with a degree in economics. He devoted his life to public service in Rogersville, TN, serving as County Trustee, Magistrate of the Hawkins County Court, Chairman of the Hawkins County Republican Party, Rogersville City School Board and Rogersville Housing Authority. He was an officer of Citizens Union Bank, from which he retired in 1987 after 30 years of service.
Mr. Hamblen was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Jericho Shrine Temple and Scottish Rites. He was a past Commander of the American Legion Post 21 in Rogersville and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
For more than fifty years, he was a member of Kiwanis International, serving as Lt. Governor of the TN/KY Division. Most recently, he belonged to the Asheville Golden "K" Club after retiring in Western North Carolina.
In April of this year, Mr. Hamblen was named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the President of The Republic of France, indicative of "France's true and unforgettable gratitude and appreciation" for "personal and precious contribution to the United States' decisive role in the liberation of our country".
A lifetime Baptist, Mr. Hamblen was a member of Provi-dence Baptist Church in Hendersonville.
The family wishes to express grateful appreciation to Dr. J. Robert Anderson and staff for their compassionate care of Mr. Hamblen in his latter years.
The family will receive friends on Monday, June 15, 2009 from 7:00-8:00 PM at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden, NC.
A private committal service will be held at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with the Reverend J. Gail Coulter officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Western North Carolina Veterans Memorial, PO Box 2854, Asheville, NC 28802.
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We are so sorry about the loss of Lyons, a very kind friend. We honor him for his service in World War II, his service to the church and greater community, and for his love of family and friends. We will miss him at Providence Baptist Church. We will miss him during college basketball season and his support of the Duke team!!
Our love and concern for Muriel and the family. Sincerely, Sarah and Bill Strobel
It is with sadness we hear of Mr.Hamblen’s death. His quiet, elegant presence at Providence was a testimony to his faith and commitment. Our sympathy and prayers are with his entire family – especially you, Muriel. Glenda and Phillip Allen
I’m so sorry for your loss. Lyons will be greatly missed by all who knew him. May God give you comfort and peace during this difficult time. Love, joyce Stepp.
We are saddened to hear of Lyons’s passing. His life of service and dedication to country, community and family are truly an inspiration. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time.
Annette and Robert Hudson
Lyons,
I am sadded my the passing away of your father. I am adding you and your family to our church prayer list, Russellville Baptist Church.
Praying for you and your family for healing of your hearts.
Kim
Lyons, I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Lyons, so sorry to hear about your loss. I will be praying for you and your family.
I am very saddened by your loss and I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Lyons, I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Keeping you in my prayers!
Our thought and prayers to the family.
Sorry for your lost, and you and your family are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers in your time of grief.
Linda Barnette
You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers.
LYONS, SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR FATHER. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL BE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
I am sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Lyons, sorry to learn of the loss of your father. Keeping you and yours in my prayers.
We are so saddened to hear that our dear uncle Lyons has passed on. We have fond memories of when we were little and our families spent time together. Uncle Lyons will live on in our memories – now joining our father Harmon and uncle C.H and uncle Fred. The Hamblen brothers were dearly loved and we will always keep them cherished in our hearts…
Clay and I both send our condolences, we are so sorry to hear about Uncle Lyons. We wish we could make the funeral, but I cannot travel because I am nine months pregnant. It breaks my heart that Uncle Lyons, Fred, CH and papa are gone- they have a special place in our hearts and we will continue to keep them in our prayers.
Love,
Brooke and Clay
We, at Providence Baptist Church, will miss Mr. Hamblen’s warm smile and twinking eyes. We are honored to have known him and offer you, Mrs. Hamblen, our love, warmth and prayer. Our thoughts to all of the Hamblen Family.
We were saddened to hear about the loss of our fine neighbor Lyons. We extend our sympathy to Muriel and the family.
Growing up in Rogersville I remember Lyons and Muriel as wonderful people. My condolences to the family.
Carole: So sorry to hear about your dad. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this time. Remember, God’s grace is sufficient.
Muriel, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss Lyons greatly.
love, Janice and David
Muriel, We will all miss Lyons.
We are grateful that you are a part of our Providence family.
We are sorry to hear of Lyons death.we have lost a dear friend.the family will be in our prayers.
George and Jean Brooks
Mrs. Hamblen, Carole, and Lyons,
I just learned of Mr. Hamblen’s death. Please know that I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
I never drive by your home on Colonial Road that I don’t think about you folks!
May your good times and sweet memories comfort you and may God bless you at this time.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Hannah
Dear Lyons, praying for you during this very difficult time. My deepest sympathy. Tammy
Lyons, I am very sorry to hear about your father. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Muriel and family,
I’m so very saddened to hear of Lyon’s passing. He was a very dear friend and cousin. I’ll keep you and the family in my prayers.
My family has enjoyed the friendship of the Hamblen family for a number of years now.
My heart goes out to Muriel ‘Mimi’ as Julielle and as little lyons calls her’.
The best place to go to for comfort at a very sad time like this is God’s word the Bible.
My favorite scripture is found at John Ch.5 vs.28 & 29 Where we are assured of seeing our loved ones again by way of a resurrection.
Also, Acts Ch.24 vs.15 conveys this same hope. So even during a very sad time as this, we can be confident that our loving heavenly father will satisfy our desires ‘Psalms Number 145 vs. 16’ not only by bringing our love ones back to life, but even as far as doing away with death altogether!
Rev. Ch. 21 vs. 4……
Learning what the Bible really teaches is truly heartwarming.
The promises found within it are from a God that cannot lie.
Num. Ch. 23 vs.19
Warm Love, The Kelley Family
*Mammysan*
To the Hamblen family,
Mr. Lyons Hamblen was friendly to me and my brothers when we were growing up. I am saddened by your loss.
-David
Lyons,
Very sorry to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Your father’s amazing accomplishments certainly leave you much to celebrate and a legacy to be proud of.
Take Care,
Scott and Buffy Wilmoth
I didn’t know Muriel. I’m so sorry. My prayer is that God will bless you and keep you and your family during this sad time.
Faye at the Folk Art Center