HJ586: Celebrating the life of the Reverend Alphonso Hamilton.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 586

Offered January 14, 2021
Celebrating the life of the Reverend Alphonso Hamilton.
Patron-- Avoli

WHEREAS, the Reverend Alphonso Hamilton, a former teacher and athletics coach who became pastor of Staunton First Church of God in Christ, died on October 19, 2020; and

WHEREAS, a native of Shamrock, Florida, Alphonso Hamilton began cultivating his deep and joyful faith at Shamrock Missionary Baptist Church; he later moved to North Carolina with his family and graduated from Pamlico County High School; and

WHEREAS, after serving his country as a member of the United States Army, Alphonso Hamilton earned a bachelor’s degree from Shaw University and a master’s degree in education from what is now James Madison University; and

WHEREAS, Alphonso Hamilton pursued a long and fulfilling career in education, teaching biology, chemistry, and general science; he led two high school basketball teams to eight district championships and two state championships as head coach and retired as a school administrator in 1989 after 34 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Alphonso Hamilton answered the call to ministry as an assistant pastor of Staunton First Church of God in Christ, serving in that capacity for 26 years until he was installed as pastor in 2014; and

WHEREAS, among many awards and accolades, Alphonso Hamilton was inducted into the Virginia Interscholastic Association Heritage Association Hall of Fame, the Staunton High School Hall of Fame, and the Booker T. Washington High School Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Alphonso Hamilton will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife Catherine; his children, Carlton, Maurice, and Anthony, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, congregants, and students; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend Alphonso Hamilton, a respected religious leader in Staunton; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Alphonso Hamilton as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.