Shirley Ann Hamilton

She touched countless hearts with her kindness

and generosity of spirit

Shirley Ann Hamilton, 92, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on August 9, 2025. Born April 22, 1933, on her family farm in DeKalb County, Indiana (Town of Hamilton) to Harold and Alice (Ridge) Newcomer, Shirley lived a life characterized by warmth, inclusivity, and unwavering love.

Shirley Ann Hamilton

After graduating from Hamilton High School, Shirley and her sister Barb moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she met David A. Hamilton, who was completing officers training at Williams Air Force Base. Following Dave’s graduation from pilot school, they married, and Shirley joined the ranks of USAF Officers’ wives.

As they traveled across the country with the Air Force, Shirley and Dave welcomed three children. After Dave’s retirement in 1974, the family settled in Belton, Missouri, in a house they had purchased in 1968. Dave joined his father and brother in running MidAmerica Travel Service, beginning a new chapter in their lives.

Shirley was active in the Officers' Wives Club and served as a Cub Scout Den Mother. In the mid-1970s, she began a successful career as an Avon Lady, connecting with her community. She found joy in numerous activities – from bowling and playing bridge to gardening, bird watching and baking. Her apple pie was legendary at family gatherings and community events. Her commitment to physical wellness was evident in her participation in exercise programs from television workouts in the 70s to Aqua Aerobics to Senior Center activities at John Knox Village, which she continued into her 90s.

Shirley was deeply involved with her grandchildren’s lives, taking them to museums and on nature walks. Together with Dave, she traveled extensively throughout America during his military service and globally after his retirement. Their journeys reinforced their commitment to inclusivity and respect for all people—values they instilled in their children.

Faith was a cornerstone of Shirley’s life. She found strength and purpose in her religious community.

In 2019, she and Dave moved to Lee’s Summit. After Dave’s passing in 2020, Shirley continued to forge new friendships while cherishing time with her expanding family, especially delighting in her role as a great-grandmother.

Shirley’s life was marked by her exceptional ability to make everyone feel welcomed and valued. Her legacy of acceptance, kindness, and love will continue through the generations of family she nurtured.

Shirley was preceded in death by her sisters Lois Johnson (Reynold) and Barb Taylor (Jim). She is survived by her brother Dale Newcomer (Karen); her children: Denise Ayers (Maurice), Greg Hamilton (Lisa), and Rick Hamilton (Sheila); her grandchildren: Kathleen Wolford (Nick), Brian Ayers (Sarah), Clara Ehrenburg (Dylan), Derek Hamilton (Afton), and Blake Hamilton; her great-grandchildren: Arthur Wolford, Noah Ayers, Isaac Ayers, Ander Tullgren, and Brooks Hamilton; her brother-in-law Steve Hamilton and family; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Wesley Chapel - Church of the Resurrection (13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS). Visitation begins at 1:00 pm CT, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 pm and interment at Longview Cemetery (12700 Raytown Road, Kansas City, MO). The service will be streamed online at www.cor.org/memorialsonline.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at www.dav.org/donate or by mail to: DAV, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Please include “In memory of Shirley Ann Hamilton” in the memo line.