Elizabeth Brooks Hamlin

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Elizabeth Brooks Hamlin, 88 of Henry, Tenn., died Monday, June 14, 2021. She attended Springville, Atkins-Porter, and Grove schools in Henry County, graduating from Grove in 1949. Elizabeth began working at Commercial Bank before marriage, and later as a civilian, she worked for the USAF for 25 years. She retired in 1988 from the Blytheville Air Force Base in Arkansas as the base suggestion program manager and moved back to Henry County in 1991. Upon retirement, she spent numerous hours researching the Hamlin genealogy and put together a book that covers several generations. It was said of Elizabeth that she expressed herself best in ink, as she was a prolific writer and the author of numerous poems. She was a member of Mansfield Baptist Church. She was also a member of the BAFB Toastmaster’s Club, the Henry Bunn’s Club and served as County Vice President of FCE County Council. She was active in family, community, and education clubs. Elizabeth loved gospel music and dreamed of having musical talent, although, if you sat by her in church, you knew she did. She filled her home with music, love, games and a lot of laughter.

Elizabeth was born Aug. 31, 1932, in Henry County, Tenn., to the late Hiram Cecil Brooks and the late Allene Kilpatrick Brooks. She was married Aug. 22, 1953, to Joel W. Hamlin, who preceded her in death on March 1, 2012.

She is survived by three daughters, Pamela Lorene Smith of Traverse City, Mich., Paula Jo (Mark) Payne of Blytheville and Priscilla Brooke Bullard of Fairview, Tenn.; one daughter-in-law, Toni Hamlin of Kingston Springs, Tenn.; nine grandchildren, Dallas (Crystal) Hamlin, Dalton (Hannah Slayton) Hamlin, Autumn (Adam) Sleder, Paul Smith, Sossity (Brian Batchelor) Smith, Erin (David) McDaniel, Londyn Payne, Brad (Robin) Bullard, and Ryan Bullard; and 11 great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and first husband, she was also preceded in death by one son, Patrick Wayne Hamlin; one son-in-law, Ronnie Moody; two sisters, Helen Brooks Todd and Louane Brooks Smith; and her second husband, Raymond L. Wetherington.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St/PO Box 788, Paris, Tenn. 38242. Visitation will be Monday, June 21, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with the funeral service to begin at 1 p.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home with Paul Scott officiating.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery in Henry, Tenn.