Betty Ann Hamilton, 81, of Lakeland, Fla., passed away Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 at her residence.
Betty was born on May 5, 1932, to James Morrell and Odessa (Grimes) Powell in Brinson, Ga.
After graduating from Brinson High School in 1948, she worked as a nurse’s aide at Riverside Hospital in Bainbridge with Drs. Gordon Chason, R. F. Wheat and W. L. Wilkinson until she became of age to go to nursing school at Georgia Baptist Hospital (now Mercer) in Atlanta.
Upon receiving her RN degree she returned to Bainbridge to continue her nursing career at Riverside Hospital. Dr. J. Pierce Tucker had joined the hospital staff at this time.
In 1943 she met Billy Ray Hamilton, and they were married on Dec. 12 of that same year. This was a 58 year, 10 month marriage.
After living in Jacksonville, Fla., she and Bill moved to Lakeland, Fla.
She worked as an RN at Lakeland General Hospital until 1960 when her first child, David, was born.
In 1965 her daughter, Donna, was born. She helped to provide a loving Christian home with her husband, Bill, for their son and daughter.
They were active members at Calvary Baptist Church in Lakeland. The church was her second home.
Betty taught four and five year-old-boys in Sunday School, living and nurturing all of them as if they were her own.
They could always count on getting a hug and kiss from “Miss Betty.” She also used her nursing skills to provide private duty assistance to friends and to those who were in need but could not afford it. She was the definition of humility and unselfishness, always giving and asking nothing in return.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and a son-in-law, Tommy Driskell.
Betty is survived by her husband, Bill; her son, David Hamilton; her daughter, Donna Driskell; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her sister Gloria Ramona Mitchell; many nieces and nephews and a very loving caregiver, Michelle Spivey.
Visitation was held at Lanier Funeral Home on Oct. 15 in Lakeland.
The funeral service was held on Oct. 16, 2013 at Calvary Baptist Church in Lakeland, with Rev. Shane Skelton officiating. Internment followed at Oak Hill Burial Park in Lakeland.
Active pallbearers were the grandsons, Trenton Skinner, Brian and Brett Hamilton, Jacob Driskell and two friends, Gene Ganus and J. W. Peavy.
Lanier Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.