Mary Hamilton

Mary Bernard Hamilton of Petersburg, Virginia died December 1, 2011 at the age of 104. She was predeceased in 1997 by her husband, Alexander Hamilton. Mary, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. George S. Bernard, was born on July 2, 1907 in Petersburg, graduated from Petersburg High School and attended Farmville State Teacherâ??s College (Longwood College). Upon completion of her college work, she taught school in Chesterfield County public schools for two years and then married Alexander Hamilton, a lawyer in Petersburg. She was always active in her church, first at St. Paulâ??s Episcopal in Petersburg and after her marriage at Tabb Street Presbyterian and then Covenant Presbyterian, both in Petersburg. During World War II she started the Motor Corps in Petersburg which was a volunteer organization that transported ladies going to work at hospitals in the area. She was also one of the founders of the Petersburg Ladies Home and served as President of the Board. Starting in her fifties, she began to paint and became quite an accomplished artist winning awards in a variety of shows in the Petersburg area and painted actively until well into her eighties. She will be remembered for her extraordinary generosity, warm personality, love of children and unselfish nature. She is survived by her sons, Alexander Hamilton, IV and his wife Betsy, and George Bernard Hamilton and his wife Laura, all of Richmond. Also surviving are four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 5, 2011 at St. Jamesâ??s Episcopal Church at 1205 West Franklin Street in Richmond. Interment will follow at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contribution be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 201 Walnut Boulevard, Petersburg, VA 23805