Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 30, 1990                   TAG: 9005300069
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JACQUELINE JAMES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PATRIOT'S KIN GETS NEW HEADSTONE

The Student Government Association at Patrick Henry High School paid $500 to purchase a new headstone for the grave of Patrick Henry's granddaughter.

On Tuesday, more than 30 students, administrators, Roanoke schools Superintendent Frank Tota, and other guests were present for the unveiling of the new headstone in the old City Cemetery on Tazewell Avenue.

Patrick Henry Principal Elizabeth Lee said Hambrick was the first teacher mentioned in school board minutes for Big Lick District in the 1870s.

Lee noted that "the first school teacher here in Roanoke will not be forgotten because of the 1990 Patriots of Patrick Henry High School."

Hambrick's great-granddaughter, Helen Ringler, drove to Roanoke from Richmond for the unveiling.

In January, when Ringler brought her granddaughter from Richmond to see the grave, she discovered that the headstone was crumbling.

Disturbed about the condition of the grave, she called Leila Stalker, a friend with whom she taught years ago at Jefferson High School. Stalker, in turn, called Patrick Henry High School, figuring someone there might take an interest in taking on the restoration project - and the Student Government Association did.

The students chose May 29 for the dedication because it was the 254th birthday of Patrick Henry. Six roses were placed on Hambrick's grave site.