Shirley Alford Hamilton

Shirley Alford Hamilton, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was promoted to the Church Triumphant on July 29, 2022. Her deep faith and hope in God sustained her always. Devotion to her church and family were paramount. She loved to sing and played both piano and accordion. As a young woman, she served as the pianist of Cypress Grove Assembly of God, where she caught the eye of a young man and future husband. At the time of her passing, she was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Shirley was born in a small farmhouse in Two Egg, Florida on July 19, 1944. Shirley was the most generous of people and cultivated a wide circle of friends throughout the many places she called home including, Grand Ridge, Florida; Perry, Florida; Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada; Americus, Georgia; Columbus, Mississippi; Federal Way, Washington; and Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Shirley had the gift of hospitality. She never met a stranger and ensured every individual with whom she came in contact was made to feel welcome and important. As her family would attest, Shirley also had the gift of leadership and did not hesitate to guide and superintend family events. In everything she did, she strived to project the love of Christ, her Lord and Savior.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 56 years, Samuel J Hamilton and her children, Christopher J (“Chris”) Hamilton and wife, Carrie of Cumming, Georgia, Chad Andrew Hamilton and wife, Leigh of New Orleans, Louisiana; and her grandchildren, Lydia Ann Hamilton, Henry Rivers Hamilton, and Clara Ann Hamilton; her brother, Henry Alford, Sr. (Bernice) of Grand Ridge, FL; sister, Dale Lockamy (George) of Spartanburg, SC, and Connie Steele (Steve) of Tallahassee, FL. In addition, she was blessed to be loved and adored by her many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Lola Alford.

Visitation of the family will be held at James & Sikes Funeral Home, Marianna, FL from 5:30-7:30 PM (CDT), Saturday, August 6, 2022. Funeral services will be held at Cypress Grove Assembly of God Church, Grand Ridge, FL at 2:00 PM (CDT), Sunday, August 7, 2022, with the Revs. Mike Allen, Wayne Fussell, and Eva Howell officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. Flowers are appreciated, and donations may be to Cypress Grove Assembly of God Church.