Virginia Alta (Bowlin) Hamilton

Virginia Alta Bowlin Hamilton passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 26, 2021, at the age of 94. She was born June 19, 1927, in Walcott, Arkansas, to Ray Vaughn and Mae Lawrence Bowlin. She graduated from Paragould High School, attended the University of Arkansas, and graduated from Arkansas State University. While at the University of Arkansas, she met and married in 1947, Ed Hamilton from Sheridan, Arkansas. They remained happily married until Mr. Hamilton's death in 1989. 
Alta is survived by children, Jan Hamilton MacNaughton (Bill), Joe Hamilton (Barbara), and Kim Hamilton Roddy (Brian); eleven grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ed Hamilton; and grandson, Chris Stidham.
Alta began her business career as an interior decorator in Paragould, Arkansas. Years later, she taught Spanish at Jonesboro High School. She also taught English as a second language at Arkansas State University. Alta loved the arts, she was one of the first in our area to become a patron member of Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was an accomplished painter, recognized by several local art exhibitions and clubs. She was very generous with her art having painted a portrait of each grandchild as he/she graduated high school. She was a lifetime active member of the Southern Baptist Association.
Alta was a loving, caring mother and grandmother. She was also a fun-loving person who readily joined in with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their games and high jinx. She left them with many amusing stories and fond memories to tell in years to come. Her passing will leave a large void in our family and she will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.
A celebration of Alta's life will be held on Thursday, December 30, at 2:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home.

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