God called one of His faithful servants home for his Heavenly Reward on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, 1:00 p.m., from Baptist Health Paducah Hospital.  His servant, Reverend Earnest Hamilton, Jr., closed his eyes for eternal rest at the age of 66 years, 8 months and 5 days.  He was born December 30, 1956, in Humboldt, TN, as the son of the late Earnest Hamilton, Sr. and Myra Johnson Hamilton.

Reverend Hamilton accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age, and answered his call into the ministry and was ordained under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. Wardelle G. Harvey at the Harrison Street Missionary Baptist Church on April 12, 1992, and received his Minister's License on May 7, 1992.  He had gained a heart for preaching God's word and blessed many with his carefully prepared sermons.  Reverend Hamilton served as pastor at area churches including Rocky Ford Missionary Baptist Church and the Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church.  He spread the gospel wherever he went and joined in membership with the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Paducah, KY and served as Associate Minister.  He was later called to minister at Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church in Mound City, IL and was the leading implementor of its new building.

Reverend Hamilton, still known to many as just "BONE", was a graduate of Humboldt High School in Humboldt, TN of May 31, 1974, and received his electrician certification from the IET School of Paducah on September 17, 1976.  He was employed as an electrician at the United States Enrichment Corporation where he later retired after much dedicated service rendered to the company.  He also served in maintenance at the Seventh Day Adventist Apartments.

Reverend Hamilton loved golfing and watching both football and basketball.  Of the three sports, he was most enthusiastic with golfing and became an avid golfer who played every chance he could.

Reverend Hamilton leaves to mourn is passing:  His Lovely Wife, JoAnne Hamilton of Paducah, KY; Two Sisters, Maria McAfee of Cleveland, OH and Malinda Beard of Fort Wayne, IN; Two Brothers, Earl Hamilton of Cleveland, OH and Booker T. Hamilton of Florida; Four Step-Children, Darrick (Penny) Bussell of Paducah, KY, Leondraye Bussell of Fort Myers, FL, Rateka Wilson and Denice Spruill, both of Lehigh, FL; 17 Step-Grandchildren; 14 Step-Great-Grandchildren; One Sister-In-Law, Mary Pettus Rowland of Paducah, KY; One Brother-In-Law, Marshall White of Orlando, FL; Several Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends including Special Friends, Howard Palmer, Leon Owens, Leon Patterson, Winfred Nunn, and Mary Pettus Rowland.

He was preceded in death; his son, Earnest Jerome Hamilton; his parents, Earnest Hamilton, Sr. and Myra Johnson Hamilton, two brothers, Mark Hamilton and Johnny Hamilton.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, September 16, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at the Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Raynarldo Henderson and Minister Lucille Murray officiating. Burial will follow on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 12 noon at Rose Hill Cemetery in Humboldt, TN.

Family and friends may call at the church on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.