Merlene Hamilton Obituary

Lela "Merlene" (Nichols) Hamilton, 84, Passed away at 6:50 p.m., May 1, 2021, at Golden Age Nursing Home in Braymer, Missouri. Merlene was born on December 17, 1936, to the late William Thomas and Elsie Marie (Allen) Nicholas. Merlene was their only child, but she had half brothers and sisters. She was not fond of her given name, Lela, and preferred to be addressed and known by Merlene.

She was very precise in her concerns of the name Lela not being passed down in generations. Merlene's mother passed away when she was just two years old, and she was raised by her paternal Aunt Nina and Uncle John Parks. When Merlene was brought to the Park's residence, she instantly became their little girl and a sister to their four children, Gene, Lynn, Virginia Lee, and Vera.

Merlene also referred to Laudene (Gene's wife) as her sister. They all loved and adored her. Merlene loved her childhood growing up on the farm, and her favorite pastime was riding her horse "Blue," and she had wonderful memories of her time running all over the farm. She attended school in Appleton City and graduated with the class of 1954.

Shortly after graduation, on December 24, 1954, Merlene married Bobby Joe Hamilton. This union was blessed with five children, Sharon, Tammy, Jeff, Billy Joe who only lived for a month, and Charles Lee who died at birth. Merlene and Bobby Joe shared thirty-five years of marriage and raising their children. Sadly, Bobby Joe Preceded her in death in 1989, from the results of a plane crash.

Merlene worked hard her entire life. She was either in the garden or in the house cooking a meal for her family. It was never a surprise when you would stop in for a visit to see that Merlene had a new critter. Sometimes it may be a baby raccoon, coyote, skunk, opossums, rabbit, or a bird; she had a way with animals and would sometimes need to mend them, bottle feed a new baby, or merely save them from the harsh elements.

She also loved the flower gardens and tending to them all summer. Merlene enjoyed being next to her pilot and would never pass up a chance to go on the plane with Bobby Joe. She also loved the mountains, and many times she and her sister Vera would decide on a whim and head toward the magnificent Rockies. She shared these beautiful memories and so many stories she had remembered throughout the years.

Merlene was amazing in every way, and she will be missed by all that knew her. Merlene was of the Baptist faith and came to know her Lord as Savior at a young age, and she later reaffirmed her heart in 1990, while at the same time her three children accepted Christ at the First Baptist Church of Norborne. Merlene is survived by her children, Sharon (Jimmie) Amery of Braymer, Tammy (Dale) Stagner of Richmond, Jeff (Anna) Hamilton of Norborne; nine grandchildren, Carrie (Rob) Mansur, Nickie (Shawn) Hughson, Christy (Russell) Miller, Rachelle Amery, Courtney (Justin) Hook, Devon (Capt. Matthew) Neeld, Allison Hamilton, Dalton Hamilton, and Shaylynne Hamilton; eleven great-grandchildren, Mallory Hughson, Hannah Mansur, Lillie Mansur, Tyler Miller, Brody Hughson, Griffin Hughson, Sarah Mansur, Gavin Hook, Diesel Hoffman, Ezekiel Neeld, and Oakleigh Hook; and many nieces and nephews that she loved more then they will ever know and.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 10, 2021, at Norborne First Baptist Church, Norborne, Missouri, with Pastor Brent Hopkins and Pastor Martin Brooke officiating the service. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Norborne First Baptist Church. We will drive in procession from Norborne First Baptist to Fairhaven Cemetery, Norborne, Missouri, where Merlene will be placed to eternal rest next to her husband, Bobby Joe.

In Memory of Merlene, Memorial Contributions may be made to family choice.