Betty Jane Hamilton

Our world's loss is heaven's gain as Betty Jane Hamilton, 93, passed away on the morning of February 18, 2021. Referred to by so many as "the nicest person I ever met", Betty Jane was the third child of Zimmrude and Thomas David Swaim. She was born on January 31, 1928, in their Arlington home which was located on the corner of Oak and West Fourth Street. Betty's mother passed away in January 1931. Her father married Elizabeth Rodgers in 1934 and the family continued to grow as Thomas and Beth had four additional children: Roger, Linda, Mary, and Vickie. Betty always talked affectionately about the love of her family and her wonderful life growing up. Betty's formative years included growing up in the Arcadia Park area of east Dallas. She went to Greiner Junior High and graduated from Sunset High School in 1945. In January 1948 her older sister, Margaret Wood and husband Oren, invited Betty to their house to play 42 with a young sailor just getting out of the Navy, He was renting a room from them as he was starting a new job with Western Electric. By the way, playing 42 is a prerequisite to be a member of the Swaim family. Meeting Lawrence Hamilton that night led to their 63 year marriage until Lawrence passed away in 2012. In 1952 Lawrence and Betty settled in Arlington with their daughter Donna. Two years later their son, Lawrence III, was born. Betty enjoyed a 20 year career working as a telephone switch board operator at UTA; a job she loved very much. Betty and Lawrence enjoyed a very rich life, one that included so many good friends, great family trips, so many family gatherings at their home, good health, and a faith in God that guided them daily. Betty was a long time member of First Baptist Church Arlington. She was a prayer warrior; she taught young children in Sunday School for many years; volunteered at Mission Arlington; drove those that were sick to their doctor's appointments; and always, always prayed for her children, grand children, and great grandchildren. She will be missed greatly. The Hamilton family is extremely grateful for the wonderful care, compassion and love provided by Anna Tham and Maxine Hickman, Freedom Hospice, and the Waterford at Pantego where Betty lived the last 15 years of her life. Betty was predeceased by her older siblings Margaret Wood and brother Jack Boyd Swaim (who was killed in action in World War II). She is survived by her son Lawrence and wife Jeanne; daughter Donna McCormick and husband Ken; grandchildren Aaron Hamilton (Tiffany), Adam Hamilton (Wendy), Laura Fitzwater (Dale), and Patrick McCormick; great grandchildren Julianna Hamilton, Hannah Fitzwater and Ben Fitzwater, Connor and Noah Hamilton, and Joshua and McKenna Hamilton; siblings Roger Swaim (Norma), Linda Shaw, Mary RIchards, Vickie Coleman (Bob) and many nieces and nephews. For those wishing to remember and honor Betty, she would have much preferred a donation to Mission Arlington in lieu of flowers. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233