Lynn Hamilton

Lynn Berry Hamilton (Mrs. C. H. Hamilton, Jr.), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend and teacher passed away at the age of 91, on Thursday, February 21, 2013 in Austin, Texas, where she had lived for the past five years. Always a gracious lady, her life was one of faith, service and love.

Lynn, a fifth generation Texan, was born November 23, 1921 at Glenwood near Gilmer in Upshur County, TX. The daughter of Lofton L. and Myrtle Barton Berry, family and friends knew her as "Dorothy Lynn" until she married. A gifted student, Lynn graduated from Gilmer High School in 1937 and Baylor University in 1941 with a B.A. degree and majors in English, Education, and Health and Physical Education. She taught at Sabine High School in Gregg County and worked at the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in Gilmer before joining the WAVES (U.S. Navy Reserve) as an Ensign in 1943. Stationed in New Orleans, LA, Plattsburg, NY and Pensacola, FL, Lynn achieved the rank of Lieutenant, JG. Lynn and C. H. Hamilton, Jr., a Navy Lieutenant, were married in October 1944 after C. H. returned from service in the South Pacific. They had met while students at Baylor University where they both played in the Baylor Golden Wave Band and where Lynn was member of the Athenian Club and was initiated into Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

Lynn and C. H. returned to his childhood home of Harlingen, TX in January 1946 where they raised four children and lived a full and rewarding life. While the children were young Lynn did substitute teaching and later taught full-time at elementary, junior high and high schools in Harlingen. Among her many activities, she served as a Girl Scout leader, as president of the Harlingen Junior League, was president of the Tip of Texas Genealogical society and a member of the Lt. Barlow Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also was a member of P.E.O and actively furthered education for others, regularly giving her time to help students learn to read -- even until a few weeks before her death. Lynn enjoyed her 27 years of retirement home living, finding the friendships and many talented and interesting residents an enriching part of her life. She particularly enjoyed meeting new residents and helping them integrate into the community.

Lynn treasured her relationship with her Lord and demonstrated this through her active participation at First Baptist Church, Harlingen, where she taught Sunday School for over twenty years, was a leader of the Girls in Action and Acteens and was Director of the Woman's Missionary Union. When in her 70s, she served as a trustee and Board chair for the Valley Baptist Academy, creating notable educational partnerships that gave new life to the school. In Austin, she became an active member of the Lydia Class at First Baptist Church

Lynn was preceded in death by her husband C. H. Hamilton, Jr. and is survived by her daughter, Karen and son-in-law Leonard Huber of Spicewood, TX; sons Hayden Hamilton and wife Elaine of Bonsall, CA, Berry Hamilton and wife Keigh of Atlanta, GA, Don Hamilton and wife Jamie of Okemos, MI; granddaughters Ashli Hamilton of Atlanta GA and Caroline Hamilton of Okemos, MI; grandsons John Abbott of San Antonio, TX and Luke Abbott of Los Angeles, CA, Lofton Hamilton and Sawyer Hamilton of Okemos, MI; brothers Don Berry of Arlington, TX and Dr. Bill Berry (and wife Dr. Priscilla Berry) of Dallas, TX and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial services will be held in both Austin and Harlingen. Services in Austin will be on Wednesday, February 27th at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at the First Baptist Church - 901 Trinity St., Austin, TX followed by a reception hosted by Lynn's Sunday School Class. The Harlingen memorial will be on Sunday, March 24th at 3:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in Harlingen, 501 E. Van Buren Ave., Harlingen, TX 78550.

Those who knew Lynn will remember her as a compassionate person, always there to help one in need, a competitive bridge player, one with an eye for fashion, and lover of learning, arts and music. She was never one to complain, always looked for the upside of life and figured out how to finding meaning in each day.

Lynn strongly believed in education and throughout her life quietly helped many students in need to achieve their educational goals. She had indicated her desire that anyone wishing to make a memorial do so to the C. H. and Lynn Hamilton Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor University - One Bear Place # 97026, Waco TX 76798.