Joseph Lee Hamilton Sr.

Mantee---Joseph Lee Hamilton, Sr., 80, passed away at his home in Mantee on Friday, September 19, 2025. Born May 15, 1945 in Greenwood, he was the son of the late Regger Hamilton and the late Ruby Alberta Fowler Hamilton. Joe attended Greenville High School, and he was of Baptist Faith. In 1970, he married the love of his life, Nancy Canoy Hamilton, and they have spent 55 wonderful years together. Joe served as a route salesman for Turner Dairy for over 20 years until his retirement. He was a natural born salesman; He never met a stranger, and he had love for every person he interacted with. Joe also loved the simple things in life. He and his wife were hobby farmers, and raised many heads of cattle together. He loved to go fishing and camp out with his sons throughout their childhood years. He was also a homebody, and he loved to get out and do things around the house. Joe was loved dearly by his friends and family, and his long-lasting memory will forever be cherished in their hearts. Southern Funeral Home has the honor of serving the Hamilton family. A Funeral Service celebrating his life will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home. There will also be a Visitation on Sunday from 12:00pm until service time at the funeral home. Bro. Cody Childress will be officiating, with interment to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Mantee. Serving as pallbearers will be Kolby Earrey, Nicholas Thibadeau, Jacob Swaggerty, Dakota Almarode, Devan Almarode, Nathan Patterson, and Duane Taylor. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeff Hamilton, James Hamilton, and William Hamilton. Joe's family would also like to extend a special thanks to Kayla Johnson, his main caregiver with Legacy Hospice, and social worker Stephanie Ellis, also with Legacy Hospice, for their loving care and moral support during this difficult time. He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Nancy Hamilton of Mantee; sons, James Riddle (Beverly) of Grandberry, TX, Joe Hamilton, Jr. (Jessica) of Van Vleet, James Hamilton of Mantee; Jeff Hamilton (Elizabeth) of Houston, MS, and William Hamilton of Mantee; daughters, Tammy Smith of Houston, TX, Wendy Horning (Patrick) of Sun Lakes, AZ, and Melissa Berry of Wiggins; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; special caretaker and grandson, Dakota Joel Almarode (Crissy Moore); and special granddaughter, his namesake, Aunna Jolee Hamilton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Regger Hamilton and Ruby Fowler Hamilton; brother, James Hamilton; and daughter, Tina Hamilton. Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.southernfuneralchapel.com