LAVERNE HAMILTON, 91, of  Pittsfield, Illinois, died Monday, August 10, 2009, at the Barry Community Care Center, Barry, Illinois.  She was born  July 28, 1917 in Celeste, Texas to Fred A. and Hope Mills McGuire.  She married Rev. Floyd O. Hamilton on January 1, 1937 in Wood River, Illinois, and he preceded her in death on March 31, 2005.  Martha was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church of Pittsfield where she served as a Nursery Attendant, Women’s Missionary Union, WCTU, PEO, Sorosis, and she served as a volunteer at Illini Community Hospital.  She enjoyed gardening, reading, cooking, and arts and crafts.  Martha LaVerne Hamilton and her husband, Rev. Floyd Hamilton pastured at the First Baptist Church in Grafton, Illinois, Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Wrights, Illinois from 1948 – 1954, the Nebo Baptist Church in Nebo, Illinois from 1954 – 1962, First Baptist Church in LaBelle, Missouri from 1962 – 1983 before retired to Pittsfield, Illinois in 1983.

Survivors include four sons; Floyd B. (Amelia) Hamilton of Lake Havasu, AZ, Rev. David L. (Charlotte) Hamilton of Plantation, FL, Steven R. (Ros) Hamilton of Canton, MO, Phillip A. (Donna) Hamilton of LaBelle, MO; two daughters, Mrs. Rachel A. (Bob) Caudle of Allen, TX and Mrs. Martha “Marty” (Claire) Horton of Avon, IL; two brothers, Mills (Sara) McGuire of Columbia, IL and Kenneth (Gloria) McGuire of Wheeling, West Virginia; one sister, Mrs. Barbara (Ed) Saba of Huntsville, Alabama; 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Friday, August 14, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at the Calvary Baptist Church in Pittsfield, Illinois with the Rev. David Hamilton officiating.  Burial will be at the Oakwood Cemetery, Pittsfield, Illinois.  Visitation will be held from 9:30 A. M. until time of services at 11:00 A.M. at the Calvary Baptist Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Barry Community Care Center Activity Fund or the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund.

Condolences may be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the services.