The Officiants Honorary Pallbearers Active Pallbearers Professional

Loving Tributes
Should you go first an I remain
To finish with the scroll,
No lengh’ning shadows shall creep in
To make this life seem droll.
We’ve known so much of happiness,
We’ve had our cup of joy
And memory is one gift of God
That death cannot destroy.
“Should You Go First”
Should you go first and I remain
To walk the road alone,
I’ll live in memory’s garden, dear,
With happy days we’ve known.
In Spring I’ll wait for roses red
When fades the lilacs blue,
In early Fall when brown leaves call
I’ll catch a glimpse of you.
Should you go first and I remain,
One thing I’d have you do:
Walk slowly down the path of death,
For soon I’ll follow you.
I’ll want to know each step you take
That I may walk the same,
For someday down the lonely road
You’ll hear me call your name.
— The Family
Should you go first and I remain
For battles to be fought,
Each thing you’ve touched along the way
Will be a hollowed spot.
I’ll hear your voice; I’ll see your smile,
Though blindly I may grope,
The memory of your helping hand
Will buoy me on with hope.
Acknowledgements
The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to the many friends for each kind expression of sympathy extended during the bereavement. May God bless each of you.
Memorial Donations
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Virginia State University, c/o President’s Scholarship Fund, 1 Hayden
Drive, Petersburg, VA 23806 or Gillfield Baptist Church, c/o Scholarship Fund, 209 Perry Street, Petersburg, VA.
The Officiants
Active Pallbearers
Interment
The Reverend Dr. Harold E. Braxton,
Interim Pastor, Gillfield Baptist Church
The Reverend Dr. Grady W. Powell, Sr.,
Pastor Emeritus, Gillfield Baptist Church
The Reverend Dr. Andrew J. White, Sr.,
Pastor, Zion Baptist Church
Russell L. Bland
James R. Clark, Sr.
Benjamin Ford
Thomas Hooker
Charles M. Poole
James Price
Sunset Memorial Park
Chester, VA
Honorary Pallbearers
Professional Services Entrusted to
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
The Connecting Links
Virginia State University Faculty
The Diques
The Pests
The J. M. Wilkerson
Funeral Establishment, Inc.
102 South Ave., Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 732-8911
Shelton W. Smith, G.M. & Funeral Director
Program Design and Printing by
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Obituary
Dr. Hunter Douglas Hamlett, of 20014 Roosevelt Avenue, Colonial Heights, VA departed this life on Tuesday,
October 23, 2007.
Order of Service
THE PRELUDE AND PROCESSIONAL
Largo - written by: Bach
Dr. Ethel Houghton, Organist
Jesus Savior Pilot Me - written by: Edward Harper
Amazing Grace - written by: John Newton
THE CALL TO ASSURANCE
Dr. Hamlett was born in South Boston, VA to the union of the late Silas and Mattie Hamlett. He received his early
education in South Boston, graduating from Booker T. Washington High School. During World War II, he served
in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He earned a B. S. Degree in Biology from Virginia Union University, M. S.
Degree in Embryology from Virginia State College (University), and a Ph.D. Degree from The Ohio State University.
He joined Gillfield Baptist Church in 1961, and served on the Finance Board.
He was a Professor Emeritus of Biology at Virginia State University where he worked for 34 years, serving as
Department Chairman and Dean of Developmental Studies. Prior to his employment at Virginia State, he worked
at Havre de Grace High School, Maryland, and Dunbar High School, Lynchburg, VA. He also served as Adjunct
Professor at The Ohio State University. After his retirement from Virginia State University, he continued to serve
as an Adjunct Professor for two years.
Dr. Hamlett was a member of many professional and social organizations, including Virginia Academy of Science,
American Association for Advancement of Science, Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Society, Sigma Ki Scientific
Research Society, National Science Teachers Association, American Institute of Biological Sciences, Virginia
Education Association, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, The Connecting Links, The Diques, and The Pests.
Among his accomplishments and special recognitions, Faculty representative to The Ohio State University
Visitation Days Program, recipient of institution award for highest number of graduate fellowships (65) 19711991, Science Teacher of the Year, Western District, recipient for four National Science Foundation Summer
Fellowships, one academic year Fellowship, National Institutes of Health Grants for Minority Access to Research
Careers Program (MARC) 1982-1990.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Ford Hamlett of Colonial Heights, VA; two sons, Dr. Gregory
Hamlett (Dr. Brenda) of Prince William, VA and Jeffrey Hamlett of Richmond, VA; two granddaughters, Faith and
Kirsten Hamlett of Prince William, VA; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Woodard of Petersburg, VA and Mrs. Pauline Graves
(Rev. Raymond) of Henrietta, NY; two sisters-in-law, Earlyne Rose and Althea Lucas (James) of Fredericksburg,
VA; a host of nieces, nephew, cousins, and friends.
Rev. Dr. Harold E. Braxton
Dr. Ethel Houghton, Organist
THE MEMORIAL CHIMES
THE CONGREGATIONAL HYMN [No. 67]
THE SCRIPTURES
Choral Response:
“Come Ye Disconsolate”
The First Reading – Psalm 23
Rev. Dr. Grady W. Powell, Sr.
“Something beautiful, something good,
All confusion, He understood,
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife,
But He made something beautiful of my life.”
The Second Reading – Ecclesiastic 3:1 - 8 Rev. Dr. Lawrence D. Pollard II
“And Since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His word and trust His grace:
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer"
Choral Response:
THE HYMN OF CONSOLATION [No. 54]
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
THE PRAYER OF CONSOLATION
THE SOLO
Thomas O. Chisholm
Rev. Dr. Andrew J. White, Sr., Pastor
Zion Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA
“How Great Thou Art”
Mr. Harold Haughton
Mrs. Sarah Hines
Rev. Dr. Grady W. Powell, Sr., Pastor Emeritus
Gillfield Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA
THE EXPRESSION
THE MUSICAL SELECTION
“The Quiet Place”
THE EULOGY
Ralph Carmichael
Rev. Dr. Harold E. Braxton
THE RECESSIONAL HYMN [No. 410]
THE RECESSIONAL
INTERMENT
Thomas Moore
“It Is Well”
Horatio Spafford
Dr. Ethel Houghton, Organist
Sunset Memorial Park
Chester, VA
“If driving in the processional, please turn your headlights on, fasten your seatbelts and drive carefully.”
Repast
The family extends the invitation to join them after the interment service at
Byas Fellowship Hall located at the Historic Gillfield Baptist Church.