Gloria Marjorie Hamilton

Gloria Marjorie Hamilton (née Heslop) was born August 28, 1928 in Spanish Town, the capital and the largest town in the parish of St. Catherine in Jamaica. She was the second eldest of seven children. Her parents George and Retinella Heslop resided in Watermount a small town in the majestic mountainous region of Jamaica.

She grew up and attended elementary school in St. Catherine's parish. After the birth of her first child, at the young age of 21 she left Jamaica to join her father in London, England. Living in London specifically Brixton, she became a homeowner at a young age due to the mentoring and encouragement from her father. It was in London that she met and married her first husband, Obi Prof Chike Onwuachi.

In the late fifties she boarded the Queen Mary with her two young daughters and immigrated to Dickerson, North Dakota where she discovered that they were the only black family. Subsequently, the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri due to her husband's career in academe. Here she had four children and became a full- time mother and homemaker. Gloria focused on raising her children in a nurturing environment after becoming one of the first black families' to integrate public housing. She enhanced her husband's involvement in the Civil Rights movement by graciously hosting world-renowned scholars, authors and entertainers such as Miriam Makeba, Sydney Poitier and Harry Belafonte.

Then in the early sixties she again packed up the family and moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she created yet another nurturing home this time not only for her family but also for Fisk University students. Her home and cooking became well known among Civil Rights leaders such as Stokley Carmichael (AKA Kwame Toure), Eldridge Cleaver, H. Rap Brown and many others.


In the late 60's she independently moved to New York City, remarried and worked as a hospital worker at New York University Medical Center. While in NYC she reconnected with her Jamaican community. She subsequently retired in 1991, left NYC for a warmer climate and relocated to Palm Bay, Florida where she resided for 25 years.

In Palm Bay, Gloria or "G" as she was affectionately nicknamed was known for her resonating laughter and friendly smile. She quickly settled in and became a dynamic and accepted participant of the community. She was an active member and enthusiastic volunteer at the Palm Bay Senior Center. She was also a very vibrant and devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Malabar. "G" passionately volunteered for the Brevard County Alzheimer's Association and visited with those afflicted with Alzheimer's. Her hobbies included dancing, traveling, gardening and painting.

Those who are familiar with "G' would affirm that she lived her entire adult life as a very independent, kind, free spirit who was committed to her family. She was a reliable friend but found great peace and happiness in knowing that her family was doing well.

Gloria is survived by seven children (Rupert, Chu Chu, Beverly, Marie, Patrick, Theresa and Dorothea), seventeen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, four siblings (Anne, Phyllis, Derrick and Avis), nieces, nephews, cousins, daughter and son-in-laws.

Calling hours are 6:00pm-9:00pm Friday April 8, 2016 at Fountainhead Funeral Home, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, Florida 32909. Funeral services will be held 10:00am Saturday, April 9, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Malabar, 1655 Malabar Road, Malabar, Florida 32950. Entombment will follow at Fountainhead Memorial Park.