Mrs. Nellie Hamilton

HAMILTON, Mrs. Nellie Arrington-Rice, age 77 passed in peace, surrounded by family and friends on June 22, 2012. Born in Nashville, TN on September 19, 1934 to Robert Madell and Mary Blunkall Arrington, Nellie was a 1953 graduate of Goodlettsville high school. Much admired for her courage and strength of character, she was the definition of a survivor. First diagnosed with breast cancer 29 years ago, it was with unfaltering faith and determination that she endured seven recurrences, numerous surgeries, and countless treatments. All that while, Nellie worked selflessly, tirelessly, as a volunteer. For ten years she served as coordinator for American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program, counseling other breast cancer patients in the hospital, at home, and over the phone. She sewed and distributed hundreds of mastectomy pillows and bags for recovering patients. For years, she served on the board of the ACS Reach to Recovery Fashion Show, even chairing the event. Nellie also drove dozens of patients to doctor and treatment appointments for the ACS Road to Recovery program. Twice a year she'd spend days in her kitchen preparing for a bake sale on the square in Franklin to benefit the Williamson County ACS. She worked and walked for both the Davidson and Williamson County ACS Relay for Life. Nellie was also a thirteen year volunteer at St. Thomas Hospital, working the information desk, and visiting with patients on Christmas morning. For her years of service to the Nashville community, Nellie was named recipient of the 1997 Mary Catherine Stroble Volunteer of the Year Award. Additionally, she was awarded the ACS Teresse Lasser Volunteer Award, and the Susan Komen Honorary Survivor Award. Nellie's fight against breast cancer was chronicled in a 1998 article in Self Magazine. She was a member of the Graham Inquirers Sunday School class at Belmont United Methodist Church where she served as an usher. Nellie was an avid devotee of country music and dedicated to the preservation of its history. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert Madell (Jabo) Arrington, Jr.; sister, Eva (Arrington) Litton; husband, Richard Hamilton, all of Nashville. She is survived by son, Kevin Rice (Nancy) of Brentwood; daughter, Karen (Rice) Carroll (Bill) of The Woodlands, TX; grandchildren, Jonathan and Robert Rice, Brentwood; Grace and Brian Carroll, The Woodlands, TX; brothers and sisters, Peggy Donnell, Clifford (Fran) Arrington, David Arrington, Bonnie Arrington, Martha (Donny) Harrington, all of Nashville; several nieces and nephews, and numerous close friends and neighbors. The family wishes to thank Dr. Lester Porter and his staff for so many years of steadfast and loving care, and Vince Gill, Joe Glaser, and Steve Gibson for their tender hearts, and commitment to Nashville's musical heritage. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas Hospital Volunteer Associates, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Musicians Hall of Fame (?). Funeral services will be conducted 3:00PM Sunday, June 24, 2012 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, Pastor Linda Johnson officiating. Interment, Williamson Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers: Jonathan Rice, Robert Rice, Brian Carroll, Brian Milliken, Burt Arrington, Jeremy Tomes, Justin Maxwell, Dave Richards & Jeff Harrington. Memorials may be made to the St. Thomas Hospital Volunteer Associates, Country Music Hall of Fame or the Musicians Hall of Fame. Visitation will be 4-8PM Saturday and one hour prior to the service at WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 615-794-2289. www.williamsonmemorial.com

Visitation Details

Saturday, June 23rd, 2012 4:00pm - 8:00pm, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home

Sunday, June 24th, 2012 2:00pm - 3:00pm, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home

Service Information

Sunday, June 24th, 2012 3:00pm, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home

Interment Details

Williamson Memorial Gardens