Gladys Mae Hamilton, age 97 of Newcastle passed away Friday, December 18, 2009 at Grace Living Center in Norman. She was born July 1, 1912 in Rush Springs, Oklahoma to Jolly Morris and Callie Ligon Morris.
Gladys grew up in the country on a farm outside of Rush Springs. After several years the family moved to Pauls Valley where she met Everett R. Claxton. They were married and to this union were born two children, Lavell and Jolly. When Jolly was 15 months old Mr. Claxton died.
To make ends meet Gladys worked three jobs at the same time. Four years later she married Clarence Hamilton. Together they owned two restaurants in Pauls Valley. She and her sister, Modine, operated one until 1956.
Gladys then began working for the Crabtree Drug Store in Pauls Valley for 30 years. In 1981 she and Clarence built a new home in Newcastle. They lived in their new home until Clarence’s death in 1985.
Gladys later moved to a smaller home but stayed in Newcastle. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Newcastle. She enjoyed sewing until her eyesight began to fade & she loved to read. She enjoyed family gatherings where she loved to play cards, dominoes and any other game they had.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Jolly and Callie Morris; first husband, Everett R. Claxton; second husband, Clarence Hamilton; two sisters, Naomi Underwood and Bernice Baker; four brothers, Joyce Morris, Thad Morris, Claude Potter and J.P. Potter; grandson, Stanley Joe Claxton; son-in-law, Haulby Dean.
She is survived by a son, J.B. Claxton of Moore; a daughter, Lavell Becker and husband Lloyd of Memphis, Tx; two sisters, Modine Randol of Purcell, and Nadine Pearson of Moore; three grandchildren, Debra Elder and husband Randy, Dena Bumgarden and husband David, and Kathy Dean; six great grandchildren; and a great great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Newcastle with Rev. Bill Gentry officiating. A committal service will be 1:30 PM Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Pauls Valley.
Viewing will be Monday, Dec. 21 from 9 AM until 8 PM at Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Newcastle. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home from 6-8 PM Monday night.
