Louise Hamiter passed peacefully into the welcoming arms of her Savior and joined her waiting heavenly family in the evening of Saturday, January 6, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's.

Louise was born in Cumberland County, NC, to Ira and Julia Duncan. She grew up on the family farm in Maxton, NC. She attended Presbyterian Junior College and graduated from the preparatory department in 1948. She moved to Columbia, SC, in 1948 and worked in several business related areas before retiring from Sears Credit in 1989. She met and married Harry Alvin Hamiter, Jr., in 1951. They welcomed two sons, Rhett and Todd. She was an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church, where she taught Elementary Sunday School for many years.

After the death of her husband in 1984, she moved to Bay St. Louis, MS. She continued with her passion of gardening in her son's yard. She developed her artistic skills with art classes at the Waveland Civic Center. After later moving to Biloxi, she became an active member of the senior center and continued twirling a paint brush to create beautiful paintings of special birds, sea shells, and flowers.

Louise is preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Julia Duncan, and her husband, Harry Alvin Hamiter, Jr.

She is survived by her sons, Rhett (Katherine) Hamiter and Todd (Mary) Hamiter; grandson, William Harry Hamiter; and granddaughter, Annie Louise Hamiter. She is also survived by brothers, Neill (Margaret) Duncan, Billy (Betsy) Duncan; and sister, Sara Lee Lower; along with many nephews and nieces.

Her family wish to thank the staff and nurses at Seashore Oaks Assisted Living, Biloxi, and Gulfport Care Center for her dedicated care and compassate support during the last several years. We also thank the nurses with Kare-in-Home for providing hospice support to Louise during her last months.

Visitation and memorial service will be held at Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia, from 12 to 1:30 pm on Saturday, January, 13th, followed by a 2 o'clock, graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 106 West Dr. M. L. King, Jr. Drive, Maxton, NC, 28364.