Patsy Ruth Hamilton

Patsy Ruth Hamilton, 84, of Abilene, died Sunday, November 25, 2012. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 29, 2012, at First Central Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Cliff Stewart and Rev. Janice Six officiating. Burial will follow in Buffalo Gap Cemetery, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the funeral home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, on Wednesday, November 28, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Mrs. Hamilton was born in Crane, Texas, on April 19, 1928, to her beloved parents, William Howard and Phara T. Hardcastle. During her early years, the family moved around in "the oil patch", eventually settling in Conroe, where she graduated from high school. She had a beautiful voice, sang in school and church choirs, and was often asked to sing at funerals and weddings. She met and married Curtis Levi Hamilton in 1946 when he returned from World War II. They raised their four sons in Conroe and Houston. Though she always worked long hours outside the home, she never missed a ball game, a concert, or any of her sons' activities. Always active in every community in which she lived, she served on the School Board in Daisetta, Texas, in the 1980's. Patsy and Curtis moved to Abilene in their later years. She immediately joined First Central Presbyterian Church, made lots of friends all over town, and volunteered at the Grace Museum and Breakfast on Beech Street. She loved being able to support Abilene grandsons, Peter and Ben, in their various activities. Always a friendly and fun-loving, positive person, she delighted in telling funny stories to family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Survivors include her sister, Peggy Hardcastle, of Abilene and formerly of Fort Worth, her sons, William (Bill) Hamilton, of Austin, Mark Hamilton and his wife, Sandy, of Conroe, Lee Hamilton and his wife, Rae Ann, of Abilene, Lance Hamilton, and his wife, Linda, of Humble, eight grandchildren, Caleb, Alexis, Willie, Rhonda, Patrick, Betty, Peter, and Ben, and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family wishes to thank Dr. William Shudde and the staff at Mesa Springs Nursing Center for the loving and professional care they provided Patsy.