Effie Moore Darden Hamilton

Effie Moore Darden Hamilton, 106 formerly of Magnolia, NC, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Windsor Point Retirement Community in Fuquay-Varina, NC. She was born July 10, 1918, in Falling Creek Township, Lenoir County, NC, to the late Joseph Herring Darden and Gertrude Eliza Moore Darden.

Effie was valedictorian of her graduating class at Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville, NC. After obtaining a degree in primary education from East Carolina Teacher's College (now East Carolina University), she taught school in a two room schoolhouse in Polk County, NC, and she also taught in Onslow County, NC. Later, Effie moved to Alexandria, Virginia, where she worked at the Old Pension Building in Washington, DC, taught at Peter Pan School and took graduate courses from the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia.

Effie married John Fisher Hamilton on March 15, 1947, in Washington, DC, and traveled with him to Texas, Virginia and New Jersey while he pursued his military career. Effie worked at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard when she lived in Virginia. Upon her husband's retirement from the military, they settled on the Hamilton family farm in John Fisher's hometown of Magnolia, NC, where Effie continued her teaching career in the Duplin County public school system. She loved young children and often spoke with pride of the many children she taught and their accomplishments. Following her husband's death in 1991, Effie continued to reside in Magnolia, NC until she moved to Windsor Point Retirement Community in Fuquay-Varina, NC in 2001.

Effie was a member of Magnolia Baptist Church, a life member of the Duplin County Historical Society, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the NC Retired Government Employees' Association. She researched family genealogy extensively for over 50 years, much of which she did without the benefit of the internet, and enjoyed sharing her discoveries with others. When she was in her 70s, she bought a computer and took classes at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, NC to learn how to use it. During her retirement years, she also enjoyed painting, crocheting, quilting and traveling.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Mary Darden Mason, and her two brothers, Flavius Allen Darden and Robert Joseph Darden, and grandson Gregory Todd Hodges.

Survivors include daughter Phyllis Hamilton Rich and husband Dwight Rich of Garner, NC, daughter Joyce Hamilton and husband Joe Hodges of Newport, NC, grandchildren Johnny Rich of Clayton, NC, Theresa Hamilton Power of Aurora, Colorado, and Brian Hodges of Cary, NC. She is also survived by five great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks for the care and support given to Effie by the dedicated staff of Windsor Point, her many special caregivers over the years and Transitions LifeCare.

A graveside service celebrating Effie's life will be held 11:00am, Tuesday, October 15,2024 at Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC, with Minister Ricky Wood officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Effie's memory to her church, Magnolia Baptist Church, P.O. Box 96, Magnolia, NC 28453. Arrangements by Community Funeral Home, Warsaw, NC.

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