Eric Lenwood Hamilton, 91, of Blackshear, passed away Friday morning, October 7, 2022, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House in Waycross.
Born in Blackshear, August 3, 1931, he had lived in Pierce County all his life. He was a 1949 graduate of Blackshear High School. He had worked in farming, was a former agent for Woodman of the World, and went on to retire after 31 years of service from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Service. Throughout his career he was privileged to receive numerous awards for his dedicated service. He was a 50+ year member of the Blackshear Rotary Club, was a member of the Jaycees and had served on the board for the former Peoples Bank. He had a true passion for the game of golf and always enjoyed his time on the course. He was a member of the Okefenokee Golf and Country Club as well as the Lakeview Golf Club. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he was in the Enriched Sunday School Class.
He was a son of the late William Jackson and Della Kelly Hamilton. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jaynell Davis Hamilton; his son, Eric Lenwood Hamilton Jr.; two sisters, Colleen Turner and Margaret Hodge; and all five of his brothers, Leroy Hamilton, Bruce Hamilton, Grover Hamilton, W. J. Hamilton and Lamar Hamilton.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Phyllis McQuaig Hamilton, Blackshear; three daughters, Joy H. Peterson, Blackshear and Brenda Kay (Bob) Garner and Jan H. Quinif, both of Tallahassee, FL; two sons, Mike (Khrista) Hurst and Tim Hurst, both of Waycross; a sister, Willie Dell Johnson, Jesup; 11 grandchildren, Andrew (Elise) Peterson, Matthew (Whitney) Peterson, Rick (Meagen) Raleigh, Robert Garner, Patrick Quinif, Mary Kate Quinif, Jackson Quinif, Tucker (Amanda) Barnes, John Michael Hurst, Heather (Brian) Mathie and Timmy Hurst; nine great-grandchildren with one more on the way and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Visitation will be from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at First Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, from the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Justin Gambrell and Bro. Steve Boatright officiating.
Interment will be in the Blackshear Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Andrew Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Rick Raleigh, Robert Garner, Mary Kate Quinif, Patrick Quinif and Jackson Quinif.
Members of the Enriched Sunday School Class as well as members of the Blackshear Rotary Club will be honorary pallbearers. They are asked to Please meet at the church by 2:30 Sunday afternoon.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorials be made to the Hospice Satilla Hospice House at 811 Beacon St., Waycross, GA 31501 or to First Baptist Church, 670 Main St., Blackshear, GA 31516.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blacskhear is in charge of arrangements.
