Grace Mae (Hamby) Berghauser
May 25, 1940 - Jul 13, 2024
Posted by Jo Aguirre

© Brown's Funeral Service

Grace was born on May 25, 1940, in Ludlow, Oklahoma to the late E.W. Edward Winfield and Ollie Anna Dixie Mowdy Hamby. She was the youngest of four children, three have preceded her in death. William (Shorty) Edward Hamby 10/3/1927-11/21/1998, George Nelson Hamby 5/3/1929-12/6/2011, Anna Dixie Hamby Daniel 11/21/1937-10/12/2020. All four of the Hamby children were born in a log house below the hill of the Burkhart School in Ludlow Oklahoma. While E.W. was recuperating from a serious heart attack, Ollie started her first business with $ 2.50. She began making candy and selling necessities to the community. This business flourished enabling them to move into a larger building which was located up the hill across from the Burkhart School. The difficulties of these years instilled a strong work ethic and a value of education in Grace in her siblings. Grace was proud that many of her family members were teachers. Burkhart School was Est in 1940. She had fond memories of her primary years of school (grades 1-8) and many family members who were her teachers. Grace attended high school in Smithville, Oklahoma, where her father was one of her teachers. After graduation she joined her sister Dixie at Southeastern State College where they both majored in Home Economics.

After teaching one year Grace returned to Southeastern State College in the summer of 1964. In May of that year her brother-in-law Carl Daniel introduced her to Thomas Walter Berghauser and they married July 31, 1964 in Ludlow, Oklahoma. They were married until the time of his death September 24, 1989. They welcomed their only son on June 28, 1965, George William (Bill) Berghauser. Throughout their marriage the couple were schoolteachers in Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri. They instilled the love of education and a strong work ethic to their son. Bill followed in their footsteps and became an educator also. He made an impact on many of his students throughout the years until losing his long hard fight with cancer on July 28, 2016. Grace was very proud of all his accomplishments.

Grace retired from teaching after 29 years. Upon retirement she was primary caretaker for her mother. In 1997 she began providing care for great nephew Oliver (namesake great grandmother Ollie) along with her mother. Grace delighted in cooking for her family. She was famous for her homemade rolls. In addition to her culinary skills she enjoyed crocheting, knitting, sewing, gardening and reading. Grace loved to read her Bible, praying for others, spending time with family, laughing and talking. She was a loving and caring person, devoted wife, mother, aunt, great aunt and great-great aunt.

Grace leaves to cherish her loving memory her granddaughter Mackenzie Grace Sourjohn and her mother Miranda; nieces and nephews Reggie Hamby & Carol; Sherry Evans & Donnie; Roger Daniel & Tracie; Russell Daniel &Tammy; Gayla Whorton & Matt; Dayla Hamby; and numerous great & great-great nieces and nephews.

Grace was also preceded in death by her nephew George Randall Hamby 6/13/1956-8/17/2023.

Grace expressed her appreciation to all of those that provided loving care for her. She especially loved those little girls.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 20, 204 at Ludlow Cemetery in Ludlow, OK. Roger Daniel will officiate.

The family will gather after the service at the rock house to share memories and a meal.