Gladys Alverta Megginson Hamilton - Obituary

n January 28, 1936, Gladys was born to the Reverend John William Megginson and Dorothy Mildred Megginson, an educator of Nottoway County, Virginia. At an early age, Gladys came to know the Lord and was baptized by her father in a river near Shilo Baptist Church, where her father was the senior pastor. When her father was called to become the pastor of Mt. Gazerine, Gladys and her family became members of that church and remained members until her passing. As a grade school child, Gladys was recognized by her teachers and peers as a naturally gifted and talented artist whose hand produced the most magnificent drawings. As she grew older and entered her teenage years, Gladys began to be recognized for her outer beauty and sense of humor. When Gladys became a young adult, Gladys and her sisters, Fannie and Esther, used to look after both mother and father as they aged. In fact, it was around that time a young man who rented a room across the street from where she lived started asking his landlord, Ms. Amphee about this girl he saw walking down the street with groceries in her arms. Ms. Amphee replied, “Oh that’s Reverend Megginson’s daughter.” That young man was James Preston Hamilton, Jr. from Welch, West Virginia, who had just received his first teaching assignment at her old alma mater. Soon after, and at the right time, James began to help her carry the groceries and after spending time together they realized they had the same goals and similar ideas on how they wanted to live their lives. Thus, on November 4, 1961, they were married and remained married until her death. Gladys loved being a wife, and as she and James, who she lovingly called Hamilton (He called Gladys, Dear), began to have children, she began to enjoy the joys and responsibility of motherhood. As their family grew, Hamilton took on new teaching assignments to support his family. More opportunities for Hamilton presented themselves that eventually led them to Southern Maryland. While her husband, Hamilton, established himself within Maryland's Charles County Public School System, Gladys began preparing a spiritual foundation near her new home in the neighboring Prince George’s County. So, in the 1970’s they became members of Covenant Baptist Church. She remained a member until her passing. She loved music. She was able to assemble an extensive music collection. On Saturdays, classic and contemporary R&B music could be heard playing loudly from her bedroom and filling the entire house. Patti La Belle, Aretha Franklin, and Sam Cooke were a few of her favorites. She also loved traditional gospel music from Franklin and Cooke. When her spirit needed assurance, she would listen to Mahalia Jackson, or country singer Alan Jackson’s gospel CD. Gladys was often viewed sitting in her chair next to her bed reading the Bible while listening to "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" & "I’ll Fly Away." Gladys loved talking on the phone with family and friends. Her ability to discuss different topics could keep her chatting for hours. Her favorite topics of conversation were God and politics. Throughout her life, Gladys faced many challenges. Most notable were her battles with breast cancer. One bout began in 2005. The other began in 2018. She was successful in overcoming both thanks to God, the effort she put toward her recovery, and to the many doctors who treated her. God called Gladys home, but her memory lives on through her beloved husband James Preston Hamilton, Jr.(lovingly Hamilton), daughter Joyce Alverta Hamilton, sons James Preston Hamilton, III, John Megginson Hamilton, and Randall Oliver Hamilton, grandson Jay Hamilton, former daughter-in-law Sonya Lee Hamilton and step-grandchildren Dianna Matthews and Chris Matthews. She leaves her cherished nieces, beloved nephews as well as her friends Miss Hazel, Mrs. Rose Marie Morgan, Mrs. Janette Williams, Ms. Kerrinda, Mr. Duffitt and Mr. Lee. She was preceded in death by her four legendary sisters, Rosetta Phillips, Fannie Megginson, Esther Fitzgerald and Thelma Scoon. Family and friends are invited to Gladys' Life Celebration on Wednesday, March 19th from 10-11 AM until the start of the funeral service at 11 AM at Covenant Baptist Church, 3845 S Capitol Street SW, Washington, DC 20032. Burial will follow at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Robert S. Crain Hwy Cheltenham, MD 20623.