Gabriel Hurst Obituary

Gabriel Webber Hurst, 34, of Columbia, went to be with Christ on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Born in Richland County, S.C. on November 4, 1990, Gabriel was the youngest son and fourth child of Richard (Rick) Clark Hurst and Sandra Louise Watkins Hurst.
Throughout his life, Gabriel was a joy and an ever-present blessing to his family. He had a wonderful sense of humor – one that reflected his joy and brought smiles to the faces of everyone he touched. A creative child, Gabriel loved to build things. His Flag Wagon was one of his particularly memorable creations. Gabe also kept his hands busy with stringed instruments, including the piano, guitar, and violin. He also loved to sing. He and his siblings loved backpacking with Rick as children, so naturally, the three sons became part of the Scout program. In 2008, like his brothers before him, Gabriel earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Gabriel graduated from Spring Valley High School, then from the University of South Carolina, earning his degree in Information Technology. He soon went to work as the Information Technology Manager at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, where he met a lovely coworker named Beth Ann Sample. After Gabe injured his ankle, Beth Ann began to help Gabe out so he didn't have to hobble around as much, and a friendship blossomed. On July 4, 2017, Gabe proposed. Gabriel and Beth Ann were married at First Presbyterian Church on December 9, 2017.
Because of his diligence and desire to help others, Gabriel's responsibilities at work extended well beyond the Church's computer systems. They were core values that carried over into the life he and Beth Ann built together. Gabe was a humble servant who delighted in taking care of his family, his parents, and his community. He was an exceptional husband, father, son, brother, friend, and was an ardent follower of Jesus Christ; a deeply loyal man who strived to live out all nine parts of the Fruit of the Spirit. Gabriel was a wonderful, devoted father to his beautiful daughters Susie and Sophia, who loved him deeply. He will be greatly missed.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Beth Ann Hurst (nee, Sample); his daughters, Susan Lee and Sophia Grace; his parents, Rick and Sandy Hurst; his siblings, Graham (Ginny) Hurst, Garrett (Anna) Hurst, and Hannah (Josh) Liberti; nieces, Arden Louise and Piper Elisabeth Hurst; and nephew, Pendleton Kent Hurst. Gabe was preceded in death by his grandparents, Maggie and Pendleton Watkins and John and Lorena Hurst.
The service honoring Gabriel's life will be held at 11 o'clock on Friday, October 24, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, South Carolina, with the visitation immediately following in the Church's Jackson Hall. Drs. Neil C. Stewart, Mark E. Ross and David H. Lauten will officiate. A private burial will be held in the churchyard.
To view a livestream feed of Mr. Hurst's funeral service please visit www.FirstPresColumbia.org/live.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church in memory of Gabriel Webber Hurst.