Mary Phil Hamilton

Mary Phil Thomas Hamilton passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Richland Place in Nashville, Tennessee. Mary Phil was born in Nashville on February 16, 1932, to George Dewey and Alma Louise Saunders Thomas and was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Madison “Hayne” Hamilton, Sr.

Mary Phil is survived by her children Hayne Hamilton, Jr. (Laura), Mary Phil Hamilton Illges (Ralph), and Whitfield Hamilton (Teresa); her grandchildren Whatley Hamilton (Paul Flournoy), Hayne Hamilton III, Mary Phil “Mimi” Moore (Colin), Walton Illges (Sean Cooke), Madison Hamilton “Mat” Illges (Tess), Whitfield Hamilton, Jr. (Emilie), Ashlin Hamilton, and Madeline Rains; and her great-grandchildren Bram, Dani, and Jack Thomas Oliver; Walt and Charlie Moore; Brody, Riley, and Millie Illges; Charlie, Henry, and Elle Hamilton with two more on the way. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Candy Hamilton of Rapid City, South Dakota and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mary Phil was preceded in death by her sister, Jean Thomas Curtis (Arnold E. “Bud”), her brother George Dewey Thomas, Jr. (Sarah Lea), and her brother-in-law William Berry Hamilton, Jr. (Jean).

Mary Phil attended Ransom Elementary School and West End Junior High School. She graduated from Ward-Belmont Preparatory School in 1950 and magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 1954, where she was a member of the Mortar Board and President of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.

Following graduation from Vanderbilt, Mary Phil married Hayne on December 19, 1954. Hayne’s career as a Naval Aviator took them to Norfolk, Virginia; Pensacola, Florida; Kingsville, Texas; and Lakehurst, New Jersey. In 1958, they relocated to Chattanooga before moving back to her hometown of Nashville in 1965. Hayne and Mary Phil moved back to Chattanooga in 1991 where they resided until Hayne’s death in 2021 when Mary Phil returned to Nashville.

Mary Phil was born to be a wife, mother and grandmother. She loved raising Hayne, Mary Phil and Whitfield near her parents and siblings in her beloved Nashville and was "Grandmama" to her adoring grandchildren, who were always greeted with her famous chocolate chip cookies. Mary Phil and Hayne (“Sugar Bear”) hosted the grandchildren and their friends at Lake Dunaway every summer, each visit tailored to the individual wishes of that grandchild. While “Shug” planned and executed the activities, Grandmama made sure everyone felt at home, loved and well fed. Mary Phil was sweet, selfless, kind, and saw the best in everyone. Her life was the perfect example of one who loves well.

Mary Phil served in various charitable roles throughout her life including President of the Chattanooga Symphony Guild, member of the Junior Leagues of Chattanooga and Nashville, and a volunteer reader at First Centenary UMC’s Inner City Reading Program. She was also a member of the Centennial Club and Belle Meade Country Club.

Mary Phil was a long-time member of Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville and First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga.

A memorial service celebrating Mary Phil’s life will be held Friday, August 30, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville. Visitation with the family will be before the service in the Belmont UMC Community Center from 1:00 p.m.- to 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Harpeth Hall School, 3801 Hobbs Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37215 (www.harpethhall.org), or to Emmanuel Haiti, c/o Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 7109 Highway 25 East, Cross Plains, Tennessee 37049 (www.emmanuelhaiti.org/memorial-gifts), or to the charity of your choice.