- Date Of Birth: June 18, 1926
- Date Of Death: November 22, 2019
- State: Illinois
Mary Edith Hamilton, 93, of Jacksonville passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 22, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mrs. Hamilton was born on a farm SW of Beardstown on June 18, 1926. She was the daughter of Harry L. and Grace (Holscher) Watkins. She was married to Harlin Hamilton at the Virginia, IL Methodist Church parsonage on January 26, 1946 by the Reverend Henry Higgins. Harlin preceded her in death on October 7, 2017.
Mrs. Hamilton is survived by one son and three daughters, Don E. Hamilton of Chapin, Judy R. Hamilton of W. Lafayette, IN, Vickie J. Cochran of Swansea, IL and Diana H. (David) Jackson of Jacksonville. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Bethany Hamilton of Chapin, Ginny Hamilton of Cottonwood, AZ, David Hamilton of Cottonwood, AZ, Joseph (Jen) Kozma of Ashton, MD, Jeanine (Brian) Cohoon of Wright City, MO, Nathan Cochran of Swansea, IL and Matthew and Sarah Jackson of Winchester, IL; three great-grandchildren, Lucas Hamilton of Cottonwood AZ, Phoebe Cohoon of Wright City, MO and Deckard Kozma of Ashton, MD; and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Hamilton was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, James L. (surviving wife Ida) Watkins of Alton, IL and Robert E. (deceased wife Barbara) Watkins.
Mrs. Hamilton started school in the rural school Lakeview in Morgan County and graduated from Virginia High School in 1944. She was very active in the music department as a vocal student and also played French horn in school bands and in other city bands. She was a lifelong Methodist, she taught primary Sunday school classes and performed soloist work for her church choir in earlier years.
Mrs. Hamilton was a business partner with her husband in the 37 years of running the family farms. In 1984, they retired and moved to Jacksonville. She and Mr. Hamilton traveled extensively during their retirement, taking several trips to Europe, Russia, and Western Asia in addition to many trips within the USA and Canada. Mrs. Hamilton was an avid reader taking multiple newspapers and reading the classics. She loved gardening, especially tending to her roses and Lily of the Valley. An excellent cook, she loved to hold large family dinners at the holidays.
