Debra Hamilton

Debra Olivia Martin Hamilton (known as Debi or Ms. Debi to most), 72, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was called home on Thursday, January 9th, 2025, following a lengthy battle.  She stayed strong in her faith throughout her illness. 

Debi was born October 15, 1952, in Georgetown, South Carolina, the daughter of Frederick Mitchell Martin Jr. and Doris May Bruorton.

Graduating from Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, SC in 1970, Debi then went on to attend Limestone College and Coastal Carolina University, earning a Master’s Degree in Education. 

Debi and Kenton (Kent) Lee Hamilton were married on August 4th, 1979, at First Baptist Church, with Dr. Carl E. Compton officiating. They were married twenty-five (25) wonderful years, before Kent was called home on May 4, 2004.  

Debi spent 23 years teaching, beginning in Georgetown, South Carolina schools, Fayetteville, North Carolina schools and then joining the faculty at Myrtle Beach High School before retiring.  Her students loved her sense of humor but knew her firm teacher’s belief that their education was her top priority. 

Debi loved children and youth.  She led the children’s choir and was actively involved with the youth department at First Baptist Church of MB for many years, teaching the different youth classes and then moving up to the college age classes.  She led and supported many youth activities, including church retreats, youth Ski trips, and mission trips.  Debi led many to chrysalis and continued to pray for each and every one that came into her life.  She was also a member of the First Baptist Church Choir and many other church groups, always accepting the call to serve. 

Debi lived to help others.  There was nothing else she would rather do unless you mentioned the beach!  The sand and beach always called to her and was her favorite place to be. 

Remaining to cherish Debi’s memory are her son, Jason Robert Hamilton of Myrtle Beach; her brother Frederick Mitchell Martin III of Virginia Beach, Va.; her adopted son, Perry Haynes (Laska) of Naples, Fl; Nephew Fredrick Mitchell Martin IV of Colonial Heights, Va,  a daughter-by-another-mother, Sally Edmondson Peeples (Paul) of Myrtle Beach; sister-in-heart, Dawn Hitchcock of Myrtle Beach and many aunts, cousins, and  special friends that she cherished throughout her life.

Preceding Debi in death are her husband, Kent L. Hamilton; parents, Frederick Mitchell Martin Jr. and Doris May Bruorton and her best friend Joyce Edmondson.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 9:30 am to 10:45 am at First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 am at the same location with Dr. Wayne Brown and Rev. Pam Muise officiating. Interment will be at Southern Palms Memorial Gardens in North Myrtle Beach, SC.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Debi’s memory to Diversified Ministries of Wayne and Joy Brown, P.O. Box 70777, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach, or Remnants Church at 933 Hwy 501, Myrtle Beach 29577

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