Our precious, Juanita "Lee" Cooper Hamilton, peacefully passed away as the sun was setting on the evening of March 9, 2023.  Juanita was a virtuous woman who fervently served the Lord.  She was the fourth of nine children born to Samuel D. and Jettie Selby Cooper on May 29, 1922, in Moncks Corner, SC, and is the last remaining sibling to enter eternal life.  She was considered the "rock" of the family.  Educated in the schools of Berkeley and Charleston counties, Juanita worked as a beautician in her early years.  She matriculated at South Carolina State University and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education.  For 33 years she taught in the public schools of Berkeley County before retiring in 1985.  Juanita made an indelible impression in the lives of her students in the second through fourth grades.

Juanita, affectionately called "Lee" by loving family and friends, lived in Goose Creek, SC, for the last 80 years.  She was married to the late Thomas Hamilton who passed away in 1966. They were blessed with three children: Wilfred Lanair of Moncks Corner, SC, Joann H. Walker of Jacksonville, FL, and Thomas Anthony (deceased) of Goose Creek, SC.  Juanita is the proud grandmother to eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Juanita's passion for her family, her church, and her God demonstrated her commitment to serve others.  She nurtured many family members and friends back to health by providing the comfort of her home for recovery.  Her favorite passion was cooking and serving her family, especially on Sundays after church.  Her delicious biscuits, mac & cheese, sweet potato pies, and vegetables will be missed.

As a lifelong member of Mt. Carmel AME Church in McBeth, SC, Juanita served in several capacities.  She was appointed the leader of all Class Leaders and was President of Stewardess Board #1.  As a member of the Emily C. Jones Women Missionary Society (WMS), she served as Local President where she was instrumental in establishing a partnership with Meals on Wheels and Handicapped Transportation Program for the elderly and those in need.

Above the Local Church level, she served as Area Treasurer and two 8-year terms as Area Chairperson of the Kingstree Area Women's Missionary Society.  In 1997, she was made a Life Member of the Connectional/Global Women's Missionary Society of the AME Church from the Palmetto Annual Conference, 7 ^th Episcopal. District.  Overall, Juanita gave 65 plus years of service in the Women's Missionary Society.

The Mt. Carmel AME Emily C. Jones WMS established the J.C. Hamilton Scholarship Fund in her honor to support the educational endeavors of Mt. Carmel AMEC's college students.  She continued to be actively involved in supporting the scholarship financially with a generous donation of $10,000 in June of 2022, following her 100 ^th birthday with contributions from family, church, and friends.

She leaves to cherish her memory: children, Wilfred L. Hamilton and Joann "Jean" Hamilton Walker; grandchildren: Robin Winifred Hamilton McNeal (Darin), Brian Keith Hamilton (LaChiana), Byron Wesley Walker, Wanda Ann Grant, Tyrone Grant, Antonio Levon Deas and Tommy Lloyd; sisters-in-law, Clara Cooper and Leila Cooper; brother-in-law, Julius Hamilton (Elizabeth); and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Today we celebrate the homegoing of Mrs. Juanita "Lee" Cooper Hamilton for a lifetime of service and devotion to God, her family, church, and community.

In Loving Remembrance of Juanita

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the J.C. Hamilton Scholarship Fund, C/O Mrs. Jannie Gethers, WMS President, Mt. Carmel AME Women's Missionary Society, P. O. Box 2304, Moncks Corner, SC 29461 or Zelle: 904-887-8320.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at Mt. Carmel AME Church, 1059 Old Black Oak Road, Moncks Corner, SC. Interment will be in Cooper Memorial Cemetery. Viewing will be held Friday, March 17, 2023, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Face masks are required.

The service will be live streamed on Mt. Carmel AME Church's Facebook and YouTube pages:

https://www.facebook.com/TheMountAME

http://www.youtube.com/@mountcarmelamechurch