Mary Frances Hamlet, Bolivar, died at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, after bravely battling a long illness. She was born April 5, 1926, to Wiley Young and Josie Frances Hutchins.
She was joined in marriage with Junior Lee Hamlet Dec. 10, 1955, in Fair Play. She and Junior were devoted members of Mt. Gilead Methodist Church.
With seven children, Mary constantly was surrounded by family. She enjoyed road trips to California with Junior, packed in with a carload of kids. Her family jokes that she would give them, “The Look,” signaling they headed for trouble. Devoted to them, Mary joined Junior in working hard to support their family, either working at Teters Floral, the garment factory, then Hagle’s or by helping Junior with trash hauling or walnut collecting. Later on, Mary would join Diane, Shelley, Lindsey and Tyler for five-generational garage sale trips. Holidays found the Hamlet household packed, with Mary providing her signature dumplings. In her final days, Mary made a point to tell her children how proud she was of them.
Mary had a love of gardening and flowers, keeping a garden long into her illness. She even demanded her family to plant flowers themselves. She also enjoyed trips to the casino with family. A feisty woman, Mary gave those around her creative nicknames, while insisting those around her, especially co-workers, call her Mom. She loved quilting, western movies and collecting, filling her home with trinkets and memories.
She was a strong, willful fighter, who fought and held on to life longer than most. She had a love of life, telling others no matter what, to just have fun.
Mary was preceded in death by husband of 48 years Junior Lee; her parents; sisters Pansy Hutchins, Lillian Mead and June Jones; brothers Faye Hutchins, Glen Hutchins, Fred Hutchins and Raymond Hutchins; granddaughter Ambrea Donn Green; and great-grandson Taylor Pitts.
Survivors include a very large and loving family, comprised of four daughters, Diane and Melvin Green of Preston; Peggy Myers of Long Beach, Calif., Pam and Tom Mitchell of Tampa, Flor. and Cindy Travis of Bolivar; three sons, James and Donna Myers of Bolivar, Rick and Sharon Hamlet of Stockton and David and Suzi Hamlet of Bolivar; 12 grandchildren, Tammie Dryer and husband Sam of Tunas, Shelly Davis and husband Alan of Macks Creek, Stephanie Pitts and husband Brian of Battlefield, Jimmy Myers of Springfield, Kelley Meyers and wife Lee of Fair Play, Shannon Mendoza and husband Ralph of Long Beach, Calif., Greg Mitchell and wife Raquel of Bradenton, Flor., Jennifer Tipton and husband Rick of Tardon Springs, Flor., Jessica Hamlet of Stockton, Justin Hamlet and fiancé Tasha of Stockton, Krystal Quarles and husband Clay of Bolivar and Jamie Travis of Kansas City; 16 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way.
Family visitation will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, with services at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Pitts Chapel. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers include Jimmy Myers, Kelley Myers, Greg Mitchell, Justin Hamlet, Jamie Travis, Alan Davis and Clay Quarles. Singers are granddaughters Tammie Dryer and husband Sam, Shelley Davis and Stephanie Pitts and husband Brian, singing “In the Garden.” Friends and family may sign a guest book or send private condolences at: greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel of Greenlawn Funeral Homes Bolivar, MO.