Martha S. Hamiliton

Martha (Marty) Hamilton, 79, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Del Sol Medical Center surrounded by her children. She was born on July 16, 1935 in Euclid, Ohio. At the age of two, when her father accepted a job with the Department of the Navy, she moved with her family to Washington, DC and grew up in the suburb of Bethesda, Maryland where she was an active member of National City Christian Church in Washington, DC.

After graduating from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, she attended the Ohio State University where she met the love of her life, LTC (Ret) Richard E. Hamilton. They were married on May 18, 1955; and together, they traveled the world with their growing family over the next 22 years of service in the United States Army. Following his last assignment with the Army at Fort Bliss, they decided to remain in El Paso.

Marty is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Marilyn Hamilton of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; daughters and sons-in-law Brenda and Kenneth Morrow of El Paso, Texas; Martha and Robert Vera of Waldorf, Maryland; and Christine and Steven Mahnich of Springfield, Illinois; granddaughter Elizabeth Hamilton of New Brunswick, New Jersey; grandsons Michael Morrow of Clarksville, Tennessee; Kenneth Hamilton of New York City, New York; Ian Hamilton of Burbank, California; Michael Hamilton of Carrollton, Texas; Gabriel Vera of Waldorf, Maryland; Alex Hamilton of Springfield, Illinois; great grandson Nathaniel Morrow of Clarksville, Tennessee; great granddaughter, Margaret Hamilton of Burbank, California; sisters, Naomi McNeill of Tallahassee, Florida; Sylvia Brock of Bowling Green, Ohio; and brother, Alton Stine of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Marty was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Richard Hamilton of El Paso, Texas; son, Mark Hamilton of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandson, Nathan Vera of Waldorf, MD; and sister, Wilma Kent of Camp Springs, MD.

A lifelong active participant in her church community, Marty was an active member of Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in El Paso for many years, serving several terms as elder amongst other leadership roles. Prior experience in church activities include: Chair of the Elders at Bethany; choir at National City Christian Church, Protestant Chapel - Darmstadt, Germany, Austin Park Christian Church, El Paso and Bethany; taught Sunday School at every place they have lived; was active in women’s work, either Christian Women’s Fellowship or Protestant Women of the Chapel and held office; served on board or chapel council in all places; was Border Cluster Consultant for Tres Rios Area Women, Coordinator of Consultants and then 10 years of serving on the Department of Church Women of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest as member-at-large, vice presidents and then president elect and finally president; served on the Anti Racism - Pro Reconciliation Team of the International Christian Women’s Fellowship; prior term as Vice Moderator and Moderator of the Tres Rios Area Christian Church (DOC)in the Southwest and Area Treasurer; served as Church Treasurer and Trustee at Bethany as well as on all church committees/ministries at some time or another; Chaired the Long Range Planning Committee and followed up with being Chair of the Building Committee as work moved forward; sponsored youth groups; Board Member Good Samaritan Ministries, Harlingen, Texas. In addition, she was actively involved in Church Women United including activities in the local unit, President of the El Paso unit, Treasurer; Celebrations Chair; Area 3 Representative for CWU in Texas; and Treasurer CWU in Texas.

Service in the community includes Cub Scout Den Mother - El Paso; Girl Scout Leader in Heidelberg, Germany and El Paso; co-Day Camp Director, Heidelberg; PTA - room mother and officer; Habitat for Humanity Board; Showtime El Paso (previously Community Concerts) Board; Docent El Paso Art Museum.

While her husband was on active duty, Marty also participated in Officers’ Wives Clubs wherever they were assigned serving in several leadership offices in Darmstadt, Fort Hood, Heidelberg, and Fort Bliss.

Employment included Director of Christian Education, Patrick Henry Village Chapel, Heidelberg, Germany; Office Manager, East Valley YMCA; Secretary Bethany Christian Church; Administrator, Tres Rios Area Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest Region.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 12:00PM at Bethany Christian Church with burial at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Bethany Christian Church Memorial Fund, 10453 Springwood, El Paso, Texas 79925.