Peggy Hamilton

Peggy Sue Meredith Hamilton, 86, of Amarillo died on Sunday April 27, 2014 in Amarillo. Peggy was born March 10, 1928, in Amarillo, she was the youngest daughter of Alson Asa and Grace Bernice Meredith. She was raised in Borger, Texas where her father, A.A. or “Double A” as he was known, was city manager and the visionary of the creation and development of Lake Meredith in Hutchinson County, which bares his name.

Peggy graduated from Borger High School in 1945 and then attended Texas Tech University. While continuing her education in Amarillo, she met and married Willis Owen “Bill” Hamilton, June 11, 1948 and had 2 sons and 2 daughters.

Carrying on the vision of her oldest sister Dorothy Walker, Peggy became the director of the Amarillo Mental Health Friendship House in 1978. Mrs. Walker founded the Amarillo Mental Health Friendship House in 1968, a shelter for emotionally disabled adults. The only assisted living facility of its kind in the United States at the time.

Over the next 30 years Peggy ministered to hundreds of those coping with mental illness through the Friendship House, often with no pay. She believed in providing a Christian based home atmosphere, cooking thousands of meals and encouraging many on their way to a better quality of life. Many knew her as “Mom” or “THE PEG” because she was the driving force behind the success of those whom she loved dearly.

She was a lifetime member of Pleasant Valley Baptist church. In her later years she was an active participant of her Sunday School Class even though she was physically unable to attend. She was an avid contributor to various charities and ministries.

Peggy is preceded in death by her husband Bill, son, Buster Hamilton, daughter, Jimi Carol Hamilton and nephew Billy Bob Walker. She is survived by her son, Pat Hamilton and wife, Beverly of Harlingen, Texas, a daughter, Sarena Gum and husband, Bruce, of Amarillo, Texas, a nephew Joe A Walker, Jr. of Edmond, Oklahoma, a niece Dane Garza and husband, David, of Justin, Texas and a sister, Billie Grace Price of San Bernardino, California. She was “Grandma” to 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to carry on Peggy’s support of missions and request donations be made to Denton County Cowboy Church, Ponder, Texas (Please enter in the Memo: Missions/ Jarrott Garza). Jarrott is Peggy’s nephew who is currently in Foreign Missions and will be traveling to the Czech Republic in August.Donations may also be made to Olivia’s Angels c/o Harrington Cancer Foundation, Amarillo, Texas.

Memorial Service will be at 1:00 pm Saturday May 10. 2014 at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.