Lillie Belle Hamilton believed speaking a foreign language was only the beginning. She taught her daughters and students the benefits of living in and investigating the culture of a language.
“She wanted to see people explore the world through, and with language,” said her daughter Cynthia Hamilton, of Union City. “She wanted people to understand there are places in the world where different languages are spoken and things are completely different.”
Mrs. Hamilton was a Latin and Spanish teacher in Fulton County for more than 40 years, according to school system records. During that time she taught thousands of students, many of whom stayed in touch with her over the years. She retired in 1981 from the former College Park High School.
“She was much more than a teacher,” said Maria Schneider a former student and Atlanta resident. “She became a friend and confidant in later years. She did not drive, so I was honored to take her places she wanted to go, like conventions, meetings and special events around the southeast.”
Mrs. Schneider, a former Latin teacher, said Mrs. Hamilton’s impact on her life was so profound that she took on a triple major in college: secondary education, ancient world history and Latin.
“I come from a family of teachers, but she impacted me enough to want to make me major in Latin in college,” she said. “She inspired me with her curiosity.”
Lillie Belle Drake Hamilton, of Union City, died Oct. 2 at her residence of natural causes, her daughter said. She was 92. Her body was cremated and there were no services, per her request. SouthCare Cremation Society and Memorial Centers, Stockbridge, was in charge of arrangements.
In 1952 Lillie Bell Drake, having already pledged her love to language -- she spoke fluent Spanish and Latin and conversational French and Italian -- married Victor Hamilton, who loved her and languages of foreign lands. Mr. Hamilton, who also spoke multiple languages, died in 1999. During their years of marriage, the Hamiltons took their daughters all over the world, to experience different languages and customs.
“I am certainly more culturally aware because of all the travel we did,” said Mrs. Hamilton's daughter, Cynthia, who is a Spanish teacher at Sandtown Middle School. “She knew we had wonderful things here at home, but she also knew there were wonderful things in other places around the globe too.”
Mrs. Hamilton’s love of travel was legendary, said Ron Folds, a former student, a former Latin teacher and current Milton resident. And she knew how to motivate students on several levels, he said.
“She was the singular reason I taught Latin,” he said. “She made it so alive and so interesting and she tried to help students make connections with the language. I hope I was able to do the same.”
Mrs. Hamilton is also survived by another daughter, Hilary Hamilton of Tacoma, Wash.
About the Author
