Shirley Leggette Hamilton, 87, a resident of 171 Wesley Ave., Washington, died at her home on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.

A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at Woodard’s Pond Church of Christ, officiated by Minister Eddie Gurganus. Burial will follow in Pamlico Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Robbie Taylor, Kenneth Taylor, Tyler Buck, Chris Gill, Daniel Gill and Sarge Woolard.

A native of the Old Ford community, Mrs. Hamilton grew up on a farm. She was a shy, tiny woman, but that never stopped her. As an Army wife, she regularly packed up four children, moving them across the country several times and across the ocean twice. She enjoyed family trips and just taking rides with friends. She was devoted to her family. She was a faithful member of Woodard’s Pond Church of Christ and loved the church fellowship. At the church, she was also a faithful participant in the Shoebox Ministry, filling bags of candy, wrapping bars of soap in washcloths and putting them in bags, and helping line the boxes with tissue paper.

To longtime patrons of Bill’s Hot Dogs in downtown Washington — where she worked for more than 50 years — she was affectionately known simply as the “hot dog lady.” In 2006, the Washington Daily News named her Mother of the Year, a title of which she was very proud and most deserving. In the family’s nomination letter, she was described as a mother who counted every blessing and never complained during life’s many hardships.

Mrs. Hamilton was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley B. Hamilton; grandson, Stephen Cutler; granddaughter, Elizabeth Hope Cutler; brother, Bobby Leggette; and sister, Kay Wallace.

She is survived by her children, Carol Taylor (Ricky), of Washington, Sue Cutler (Ray), of Washington, Mary Pierce (Rodney), of Denham Springs, Louisiana, and Phil Hamilton, of Washington; grandchildren, Robbie Taylor (Renee), Kenneth Taylor, Lori Gill (Chris), Tracey Thomas Merrill (Josh Landry), Christopher Thomas (Katie), Rayann Hamilton, Hayley Hamilton and Hope Donahue; great-grandchildren, Erin Taylor, Tyler Buck, Daniel Gill, Emily Gill, Jacob Merrill, Caitlyn Merrill, Tanner Merrill, Charlotte Thomas, Joseph Dale and Wyatt Dale.

She is also survived by a sister, Diane Tetterton, of Greenville; brother, Scott Leggette (Sue), of Jamesville; a special sister-in-law, Mildred Hamilton, of Washington; a special “adopted” daughter, Patsy Woolard; numerous nieces and nephews; and her faithful fur babies, Bear and Stanley.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at Woodard’s Pond Church of Christ, 9004 U.S. Highway 264 E., Washington,. Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to the church.

You may share memories with the family by visiting www.josephpaulfdl.com.

Joseph B. Paul, Jr. Funeral Director Licensee of Washington is serving the Hamilton family.