Deacon Lovelace Hamilton

HAMILTON, Deacon Lovelace - Age 92, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at his residence. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Rev. Cedell Timms Presiding, Rev. Ovell Hamilton Eulogist. Interment Gracelawn Community Cemetery, G-5710 N. Saginaw St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Saturday. Deacon Hamilton will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., with family present from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Friday. Deacon Lovelace (Hamp) Hamilton peacefully passed away on April 1, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle with a family hour at 10:00 am. Hamp was born January 26, 1923 in Poplar Grove, Arkansas, the second oldest child of Calvin and Irena (Brown) Hamilton. He joined Star Bethlehem Baptist Church at an early age. Lovelace served in the US Army in World War II, fought in the Korean Conflict and received an honorable discharge. Lovelace relocated to Flint in 1947, where he was employed by General Motors. Hamp married the love of his life Virta Ree Humphries in Toledo, Ohio on June 19, 1948 and happily spent the next 66 years together serving the Lord at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle where he was a deacon for over 50 years. Hamp also served on the Senior Usher Board, Finance and Trustee Board; and sang in several choirs; including the Male Chorus. He will forever be remembered for such songs as “Brighter Day Ahead”, “”I Love the Lord”, and “Rise Up and Walk”. Hamp was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Deacon Lovelace (Hamp) Hamilton leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Virta Ree Hamilton of Flint; daughter, Bettina (Clarence) Campbell of Swartz Creek, MI; 2 grandsons, Terrance (Regina) Campbell of Grosse Pointe, MI, Lovelace Caldwell of Rochester, MI; 4 granddaughters, Dr. TaMara (Marvin) Griffin of Chicago, IL; Frances Hollerman, of Minneapolis, MN, Sherrie Smith and Nicole Patterson both of Rochester, NY; 22 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; 12 nieces, Bobby Jean Gatewood, Martha Craig, Willo, Storm, and Edna Hamilton, Gwendolyn Bentley, Delores Blakley, Kathy Hamilton, Robin Humphries, Lisa Wilson, Denise Crawford, and Roslyn (Tony) Ivy; 10 nephews, John H. (Arlene) Hamilton, Sullivan (Veronica) Hamilton, Eric Hamilton, Ryan Hamilton, Demond Hamilton, William Bruce (Jewel) Hamilton, Christopher Hamilton, Ovell (Erica) Hamilton, John A. Hamilton, Greggory Humphries, Robert (Hermabeth) Humphries; a host of other relatives and friends, including special friends, Edna Chaney, William Chatman, Billy Gist, Bobby Mercer, and Howard Johnson. Deacon Hamilton was preceded in death by his daughter, Joyce Lee Porter; father, Calvin Hamilton Sr.; mother, Irena B. Hamilton; grandparents; 2 sisters, Ardelia Henderson and Goldie Grays; 5 brothers, Thomas, Scapeo, Ecanis, Hughdell and Calvin Hamilton; mother-in-law Mozella Humphries; father–in-law, Joecephus Humphries; 6 sisters-in-law, Durene and Daisy Hamilton, Myrtis Turner, Thelma Cunningham, JoMinnie Dugan and Audrey Humphries; 3 brothers-in-law, Brinkie Humphries, Prince Turner, and RC Dugan; nieces, Bettnie, Audrey and Shirley Hamilton; nephews, Calvin Hamilton, Lovelace and Derry Greys, Curtis Cunningham; great-nephews, Anthony Blakely, and Curtis and Tyrone Hamilton. The family reserves special thanks and recognition for beloved nieces Delores, Edna, Gwendolyn, Storm, and Willo; nephews, Demond, Sullivan, James, Robert and Ryan; caregivers, Paulette Johnson and Crystal McCadden, who each did so much to help Hamp achieve and maintain an independent living status. The family also wishes to express special thanks to Nurse Cindy, CNA Clint, Musician Randall, Social Worker Cecelia Williams, other Heartland Hospice Staff, Dr. S. Sattar and staff, and the entire Metropolitan Baptist Church family for the love and support given to Hamp that allowed him to continue to serve the Lord until the end.

Deacon Lovelace Hamilton

January 26, 1923 - April 1, 2015