Bessie Phyllis Hambrick

Bessie Phyllis Hambrick, 77, of Erwin, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 27, 2020, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Bessie was born in Carter County to the late Lyde and Tina Annis Taylor. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Paxton Taylor; her grandson, Zach Campbell; two sisters, Evelyn Taylor and Freda Bradshaw; and a step-son, Bill Hambrick.

Bessie had worked as a dietary manager and was a member of New Bethel Free Will Baptist Church. She was a former President and part of the Tennessee Dietary Manager’s Association for several years and was also a former secretary of the National Dietary Association. Bessie was on the board of directors at the TCAT Dietary Manager’s Program and was a preceptor to many students who went through the dietary program. She enjoyed watching the Tennessee Vols, traveling, shopping, reading, spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — who were her life.

Those left to cherish her memory include three daughters, Rose Ann Bowers and husband Mitchell Bowers of Elizabethton, Freda Campbell of Erwin and Christel Peterson and husband Garnie Lane Peterson, also of Erwin; a step-daughter, Kim Laws and husband Ken Laws of Johnson City; seven grandchildren, Tara Arnold of Elizabethton, Ashley Tribble of Jonesborough, Victoria Cook of Elizabethton, Tina Fitzsimmons of Bristol, Tenn., Madison Peterson of Erwin, Keaton Peterson, also of Erwin, and AJ Hoefling of Johnson City; five great-grandchildren, Hayley Arnold of Elizabethton, Piper Warnick of Asheville, N.C., Emery Cook of Elizabethton, Thaddeus Bennett of Jonesborough and Levi Cook of Elizabethton; one brother, Howard Taylor of Clinton, Tenn.; one brother-in-law, Freeman Taylor of Elizabethton; and her former husband, Bud Hambrick of Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Friends are invited to visit the funeral home from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday, April 30, to sign the register book.

A graveside service to celebrate the life of Bessie Phyllis Hambrick will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, May 1, in the Grindstaff Cemetery with Pastor Greg Largent officiating. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m. Friday. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to New Bethel Free Will Baptist Church, 1906 Stateline Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. The family would like to express a special thank you to the Hillview Nursing Home staff for the care and kindness shown to Bessie during her illness and to her best friends, Martha Hardin and Pat Hyder, for their love and friendship through the years. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.

Bessie and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.