Estelle Hamlin

Estelle was the youngest of eight children born to Clarence and Mamie Nash. She arrived on May 21, 1943 in the wee hours of a stormy night in Rice, Virginia. She completed her early schooling at High Rock Church School and Mary E. Branch School. Estelle then attended R.R. Moton High School through the 10th grade, making her part of the Lockout Generation. In 1959, Prince Edward County closed its public schools rather than desegregate as mandated by the seminal civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education. Public schools remained closed for nearly six years. While publicly funded private academies afforded education to the county’s white children, a generation of Black children were locked out.

Estelle didn’t allow the shuttering of school doors to prevent her from pursuing her education. Estelle first traveled to North Carolina where she completed her 11th year at Kittrell Junior College. She remained at home the following year, teaching some of her nieces, nephews and other locked out children at High Rock Baptist Church with her sister Beulah. Both sisters were featured in national publication Jet magazine for their work. With the assistance of the American Friends Service Committee, Estelle completed her academic studies and graduated from Bryan High School in Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1962.

After high school, Estelle traveled to Connecticut and lived with her sister Genia and her family. While there, she worked at Stamford Hospital as a nurse’s aide. Estelle moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1965 after her marriage to Henry Hogg. From this marriage she was blessed with a son. In 1973, Estelle married Allen Hamlin and they were blessed with two children. They purchased a home in Long Island, New York where they raised their family. Estelle spent the majority of her career at the landmark Garden City Hotel, retiring as a Supervisor. Estelle then moved to the Vizcaya Community in Delray Beach, Florida where she spent a well-earned retirement surrounded by palm trees and endless sunshine.

Estelle always stressed the importance of education, imparting her own story of struggle and triumph. All three of her children are college graduates -- from Penn State University, University of Maryland, and Yale University. On the 70th Anniversary of the Brown decision this year, Estelle and fellow Civil Rights Movement heroes of the Lockout Generation received honorary juris doctor degrees from Longwood University, in partnership with the Robert Russa Moton Museum. Estelle enjoyed cruising, traveling, fishing, and visiting family in Rice. She grew beautiful orchids and played in a bocce league. She was a legendary cook and baker, combining her native Southern cuisine with the Caribbean traditions of her Panamanian husband. Estelle remained a voracious reader and became a formidable crossword puzzler.

Estelle was a beloved Nana to four grandkids and a cherished friend and mentor to her children. Life won't be the same without her. Estelle joins in heaven her husband Allen, who departed this life just three months before her. She is survived by children William, Michael, and Angela; grandchildren Donovan, Morgan, Miles, and Emory; and many loving family members and friends.

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