Arlene Palmer Hamilton

On December 7, 2024, Arlene Palmer Hamilton, 89, of Theodore, Alabama, passed away peacefully at her home. Arlene was born on March 11, 1935, to Clara Bracknell Palmer (deceased) and Burlie Luther Palmer (deceased) in Brent, Alabama. Arlene was a 1953 graduate of Theodore High School. Arlene met the love of her life, Ray D. Hamilton, Sr. in Theodore and they married in 1953. Arlene was a devoted wife and mother. She loved her husband of 70 plus years with all of her heart and together they built a beautiful life. Arlene and Ray had four children, Rachael Hamilton Smith (Jerry), Ray Donald “Don” Hamilton, Jr. (Debby), Lisa Anne Hamilton Brooks (deceased), and Holly Hamilton McLellan (Randy). Arlene had four grandchildren, Michael Paul Smith, Casey Smith Driver (Randy), Melissa Anne Ezelle (Joey), and Ray Donald “Donnie” Hamilton, III (Tera). Arlene had eight great grandchildren, Michael Paul “Mikee” Smith, Jr., Andrew Kole Allen, Ashley Nicole Allen, Emma Kathryn Smith, Cyrus Blake Allen, Samuel Colt Hamilton, Elizabeth Anne Ezelle, and Mary Catherine Ezelle. Arlene lived her life for her family. Her greatest desire was to see her children and grandchildren healthy, happy, and to know that they knew her Jesus! She raised her family with unconditional love and dedication. She taught them about the kind of person they should strive to be. Arlene had one sister, Shelvia Jean Harrison, one brother, Billy Leland Palmer (deceased), brother-in-law, William Lee “Pete” Harrison (deceased), sister-in-law Daisy Hamilton McKay (deceased) and many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. Arlene worked for Brookley field in the early 1950s, and became a full-time homemaker after her third child was born. She was always very active in her children’s lives with church and school activities as well as making a beautiful home life with many adventures. When her youngest child began kindergarten, Arlene expanded her lifelong love of art into a flourishing business by opening Arlene’s Ceramics. She shared her beautiful artistic talents with so many people throughout the many years that her shop was open, holding many morning and evening classes each week, and making many dear friends along the way. This business based on her home property allowed her to continue to be an integral part of her children’s lives while also sharing her talents with the surrounding communities. When her beloved husband, Ray, opened Hamilton’s Repair Service in 1983, she also became the bookkeeper and secretary until his retirement. Arlene continued her artistic endeavors in oil and watercolor painting, ceramics, scrapbooking, and many other crafts she enjoyed for many years. Arlene was a lifelong member of Magnolia Springs Baptist Church. She loved her Lord and Savior and her church family. Arlene is a true Proverbs 31 Woman – when you read this chapter of the Bible, you can replace the pronouns with Arlene. “Many women do noble things, but she surpasses them all.” Proverbs 31:29 Arlene was also a long-time member of Dave Langham Chapter in the Order of Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron many times. She was honored to serve as Grand Ruth in the national Grand Chapter in 2004-2005. Arlene was a very talented artist. She designed the covers for many programs and the yearbook while a student at Theodore High School. She was entirely self-taught, and shared her talents and taught many others from Sunday school classes, VBS crafts, her ceramic shop, to teaching her children by having fun craft days – she always shared her love of art. She won many best of show and first place ribbons from the local Greater Gulf State Fair, and she had an exhibit of her art in a local public library. In addition to her love for art, Arlene was an avid gardener with a green thumb – her yard was always beautiful and full of lush blooms and flowers. She had amazing vegetable gardens throughout the years which she would can and freeze the vegetables to last the year for her family. Services will be held at Magnolia Springs Baptist Church on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. The family will receive friends for visitation at 1:00 p.m. with a service following at 2:00 p.m.

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Arlene Palmer Hamilton

March 11, 1935 - December 7, 2024