Albert Spencer Hamilton of Joaquin, Texas, went to live with our Lord and Savior on Thursday morning, June 22, 2023. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Bro. Larry Andrews will officiate. Interment will follow at Jackson Cemetery.
Born in the Lone Cedar Community on September 22, 1941, Spencer is the son of Curtis Leard Hamilton and Pairlee Taylor Hamilton. Spencer graduated from Joaquin High School with the Class of ’59. During high school, he enjoyed playing football and basketball. He was a member of Jackson Missionary Baptist Church. He met and married the one he could not live without, Doshia Ann Woodfin of Timpson, Texas, on March 27, 1964. They were married 59 years, raised three children, and loved telling everyone about all their grandchildren. Spencer enjoyed working with horses and doing all the cowboy things he could. Riding, roping, sorting, and helping his friends work their cattle to name a few. He loved to call you and catch up on all the goings on and would likely let you know if he approved or not. You never had to question this.
Spencer is preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Leard Hamilton and Pairlee Taylor Hamilton; sister, Winl Hamilton; two brothers-in-law, Tommy Lilly and Daniel Baker; and sister-in-law, Wanda Hamilton. Left to cherish his memory is wife, Doshia Hamilton; daughter and son-in-law, Sandi and Jeb Barney of Carthage, Texas; daughter, Vicki Hamilton and Gary Nixon of Gillis, Louisiana; and son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Alicia Hamilton of Joaquin, Texas; brother, Julius Clifford Hamilton; sisters, Tillie Lilly and Fay Baker; grandchildren, Matt and Kathryn Barlow of Wolfworth, Texas, Spence and Ashlyn Barney of Weatherford, Texas, Bryce and Chanlee Barney of Maliga, New Mexico, Katie and Bobby Smith of Center, Texas, Josh Hamilton of Fort Worth, Texas, and Hollie Hamilton of Joaquin, Texas. Great grandchildren include Adaline Hairgrove, Willa Hairgrove, Jack Hairgrove, Kylyn Baker, Brexyn Barney, and Brylee Barney. Also, numerous nieces and nephews.
In our family, Spencer went by many names – Pawpaw, Albert, Poo, were all used by those who knew him best. He lived a good life and worked hard and expected you to too. He was wiser than we realized at times and always straight forward. There wasn’t a lot of play in him, but he did love when all the family gathered around his table. Mawmaw knew how to set a table and fill it up with all our favorite foods and desserts. Daddy loved sweets and could eat them just about any time of the day or night.
Spencer was a cowboy. At the age of 7, he started riding the old plow horse and roping goats in a homemade arena. He won his first buckle in the calf roping in 1962 in Wills Point, Texas. His first win as a steer wrestler was in Carthage, Texas, where he won $400 and thought he would never have to work another day for the rest of his life. The “Bay Mare” he rode had “a heart the size of a watermelon” – Spencer’s words. Spencer continued to compete until his children were old enough to compete themselves. Then, he started to take them to youth rodeos, play days, and many 4-H horse shows. Spencer taught several schools, sharing with the next generation of rodeo enthusiasts, knowledge about the sport he had gained throughout his life. You could always find him at a local team roping event or sorting. In his later years, he grew to love the sorting and had quite a reputation. Everyone wanted on his team. He really was a cowboy.
Spencer was inducted into the Louisiana Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2021.
Spencer worked many jobs over the years. He was a welder at Beard Industries, a chicken farmer who managed 5 broiler houses for Campbell’s Soup and Pilgrim’s Pride; all in addition to training horses and working the back pens at the Center Sale barn for more than 50 years.
He was elected Shelby County Commissioner in 1988 and served three consecutive terms.
Spencer was always thinking about others and willing to help anyway he could. He was a man’s man. He was not one to shower you with love, but we all knew he loved us.
The family would like to say a special thank you to the excellent care provided by Geana Owens, Sonya McBride, Gracie Styles, and Tina Hutto.
Also, thanks to HeartsWay Hospice, A Pineywoods, Tammy Smith, and Cindy Burns. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jackson Missionary Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 15, Joaquin, Texas 75954. Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfh.com
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