Marie Hamner Campbell

March 17, 1927 - February 22, 2022

Marie Hamner Campbell, 94, of Cullman, Alabama, peacefully passed away on February 22, 2022, at home with her loving husband Julian Richard Campbell by her side. Marie Hamner was born on March 17, 1927, to Lee and Artie Jane (Rushing) Hamner in Arley, Alabama with the aid of Winston County midwife Ada Hill. Nicknamed “Runt” at an early age, she was the fourth of ten children. Growing up on a farm during the Depression, the kids never knew they were “poor”; they had plenty of good food and certainly knew how to have fun. Marie was deft at milking cows and claimed to be able to knock a fly off a post with a stream of milk. Lee built a tennis court for the family and in good weather the crowds came on the weekends. Marie was an excellent tennis player. One of her fondest girlhood memories was the annual 2nd Sunday in June “singing”. Arley residents would put on their Sunday “best”, often something new, bring delicious food and meet for a joyful day-long celebration of song and praise. Marie graduated from Meek High School in 1945 as Valedictorian. That fall she attended Alabama College in Montevallo, majoring in Physical Education and Science. With a double major, a part time job and competitive tennis she was very busy! Poor vision, uncorrectable with glasses, led her to drop out after two years. Undergraduates were being hired because of teacher shortages so she spent a year teaching phys-ed and science to Cold Springs High School girls' grades 7-12. Marie’s relationship with handsome World War II pilot Julian Campbell became serious and they were married on April 3, 1948, at her family home. Julian finished his college education, re-entered the military, and their adventurous life of world travels began. Her four daughters were born in Alabama, South Carolina, London, England and Honolulu, Hawaii. While stationed in London, Marie was fitted with contact lenses by world renowned ophthalmologist Norman Bier. He was one of the first in his field to be able to help even difficult cases, like Marie’s. Now she could see! Julian, she noticed, had freckles! Julian retired from the Air Force to Winter Haven, FL but in 1970 the family relocated to Cullman, Alabama. Marie’s time in Cullman was filled with caring for her beautiful gardens in bloom much of the year, teaching five grandkids to swim in the backyard pool, singing in the Seventh Street Baptist Church Choir, and hosting and attending scores of family and community events. Marie demonstrated to everyone who knew her how to be a victor in life. She overcame two brain tumors, a direct tornado hit and later a fire to her home, and a heart condition. Through all those trials she held to her faith and remained strong for her family. Marie was preceded in death by her parents Lee and Artie Jane Hamner, siblings Billie and Ben Malone, Ned and Inez Hamner, Nell Hamner, Brent and Betty Hamner, and twins George and Martha Hamner. She is survived by her husband Julian Richard Campbell, daughters Teresa Lynn Campbell, Martha Ann Campbell, Jean Marie Campbell and husband Richard Kirby, Robin Campbell Wilhelm and husband Steve Wilhelm, grandchildren Melissa Jean Carden and husband Kyle Miracle, Caroline Rue Carden (who is expecting in May) and husband Félix Bouchet, Rachel Olivia Carpentier and husband Brett Kostrzewski, Steven Campbell Wilhelm, Ryan Lee Wilhelm, siblings Roger and Irmie Hamner, Janet Lansford, and Larry and Martha Hamner. The funeral for Marie will be held on Sunday, February 27th at the Seventh Street Baptist Church, 708 7th St. SW, Cullman, AL, 35055, officiated by Pastor Eric Martin. Visitation will be at 12:30 and the service at 1 PM. Interment will follow at the Meek Baptist Cemetery, 360 CR-77, Arley, Alabama, 35541. Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.