Howard R. Hamilton Jr.

LIFE STORY AND OBITUARY OF THE RIGHT REVEREND HOWARD ROBY HAMILTON, JR. “A GIANT OF A MAN!” JUNE 6, 1932 -FEBRUARY 15, 2023 ENTRANCE Howard R. Hamilton, Jr was born into the union of Vester Bowers and Howard Roby Hamilton, Sr. He was reared in Crumpler, North Carolina which was also known as “Country Living”. He was educated in the Jefferson School District, where he continued until the 8th grade. Howard Hamilton is the youngest of four children: Dean, Roberta, and Gertrude who are predeceased. Throughout his life journey, he was taught the benefits of hard work, commitment, and consistency. Though he was not raised in a home where salvation was dominant, he found the Lord in his early years. He joined the Cox’s Grove Baptist Church, in Crumpler North Carolina; where he was reared in the fear and admonition of the Lord. It was here where his “GIANT” spiritual journey began. Eventually, Howard relocated to Philadelphia, PA where he resided for most of his adult life. EMPLOYMENT Howard Hamilton engaged in the workforce at an early age. Growing up in the “SOUTH” afforded him the opportunity and need to farm and hunt; from tobacco to green beans, he was the Master Farmer and Agriculturalist. Howard travelled throughout the US extensively and his love for driving landed him employment in California as a cab driver. He was also proficient in carpentry and painting. Howard was contracted by companies and families in this trade which carried an excellence in all he accomplished. Howard’s most extensive employment history was in the field of Armed Security with Banks, Trucking Companies, and Hospitals. He was employed at Trash to Steam (Chester, PA.), Community General Hospital (Reading, PA.), and ironically, Hamilton Bank (Lancaster, PA.) to name a few. He was particular about his attire, that was always pressed and clean. Howard was “Always” well-groomed” and he took every position seriously. He worked ALL shifts and was a provider for his family. The discipline he possessed in securing people and places caused many trips to Home Depot and Lowes to replace locks and bolts in houses where he and his family lived. Howard’s heavy hands would snap door handles and locks after overly securing his domain. Howard also became an entrepreneur of a small convenience store in Chester, PA., where he met his wife: Lady Leona F. (Minor) Hamilton. He was a model laborer and provider. Even until his last days, he would still reference the desire to return to work and full-time ministry. ENHANCEMENTS Among the lifelong ebbs and flows in Howard Hamilton’s journey, his mission was always love, support, and protection. He was a man of few words yet he was great with natural and spiritual wisdom. He was meek in the strongest way, which has always been the greatest way to describe him. Despite the multitude of challenges which strengthened the testimony of his faith, he never staggered at the promises of God due to unbelief. As he continued his commitment to industry and legacy, he could be found reading and studying to expand his course, although he discontinued his education after the 8th grade. From the time of his youth, he became a connoisseur of Quartet Gospel Music. He hosted many musicals with the likes of The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Gospel Keynotes, Five Blind Boys, The Violinaires and The Sheriff Singers, to name a few. Howard heavily believed in prayer, fasting and studying God’s Word. He was not privy to over-the-counter medications nor any other medicinal intake. Howard applied the “remedies of old” to address whatever ailed him. He was only hospitalized ONCE in his 90-year-old life span prior to his recent decline. The hand of God has been intensely stable upon the life of this General since the beginning of time. After tremendous work in ministry and life, Howard Hamilton was joined together in holy matrimony to then: Leona Francine Minor, on May 22, 1976. She added the spice, grace, support, and love that would cause the next 47 years to be the happiest days of his life. ECUMENICAL Bishop Hamilton entered preaching ministry around the tender age of 17. He received much of his ministerial training and experience in the Mt. Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc. He served in many capacities in the Lord’s church. As his Evangelistic ministry grew, Bishop Hamilton traveled the road preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His preaching was convicting, demonstrative and always pricked the heart of the Hearer. It was always an experience with Bishop Hamilton, as he would often begin with a stirring song, then preached the unadulterated Word of God. Many broken souls were saved, bodies healed, and lives transformed. Bishop Hamilton had strong covering aptitude and mastered the Ministry of Reconciliation. He indeed believed in the cadence of: “Whosoever will, let him come!” Some of his most notable messages are as follows: God Is, I Am Sent Me, I Have One More Doctor to See, Play The Hand That God Dealt You, and the masterful sermon: Time Brings About A Change! The passionate preacher and shepherding heart who was Bishop Hamilton, brought him into the acceptance of his calling to the Pastorate. In 1988, Bishop Hamilton (along with his wife and 5 sons) opened the powerful church called Holy Temple Holiness Church. This ministry was in the cities of Reading, PA., Chester, PA, then Wilmington, DE. The ministry of deliverance and safety has equipped many gifts that currently operate in the Kingdom today. In the year 2000 (August), Pastor Hamilton was consecrated Bishop in the Lord’s Church in the Greater Bethany Fellowship of Churches Inc. (Presider Bishop Sylvia J. Britton) and catechized by the Late Chief Apostle Robert Evans. Bishop Hamilton was Interim Pastor and Assistant Pastor for many ministries during his lifetime. However, none could compare to his love for Holy Temple. It was the norm for Bishop Hamilton, his wife, and family to visit churches with genuine fellowship. They literally gave their lives to the work of the ministry and family. Bishop Hamilton was known for provoking PRAISE moments with his fiery exhortations. His praise in the dance was a signature of his life. He was a drink offering poured out to the world; and his eternity is secured in Heaven. EXIT Bishop Hamilton’s labor was not in vain! His latter years were spent counsel and encouragement of young ministers as well as providing a means of wisdom to all he encountered. He was a GIANT of a man. Seeds of righteousness, love and faith were sown by him in great proportions. The Lord gave Bishop his threescore years and beyond! The Lord wrote his story, and it was brought to a peaceful conclusion Wednesday, February 15, 2023 in Chester, PA. While the Earth mourns the sleep of a General, we rejoice for a life well-lived. The Angels rejoice at his arrival into eternal rest. Bishop Hamilton made his calling and election sure, along with the seal of salvation that he held so dear. “It’s Holiness or Hell”, he would passionately exclaim. Bishop preached the sound of repentance and lived a life of love. He will greatly be missed and now joins the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. LEGACY Left to cherish his memory and continue legacy are: His Queen & Loving Wife, Lady Leona Francine Minor; his five sons: Vaughn, William (Penny), Troy (Lavinia), Howard (Cassandra), and Hayward; his four daughters: Marilyn A. Hamilton (deceased), Theresa D. Haynes (Ronald Sr.), Karen D. Hamilton, and Audrey G. Turner (Kenneth). He is predeceased by his three sisters: Gertrude Johnson, Roberta Hairston, and Dean Grady; reunited in glory; and a host of Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Howard R. Hamilton Jr.

June 6, 1932 - February 15, 2023