Doris Nolte Penney-Hamilton

Doris Nolte Penney-Hamilton, 93, of Charleston, SC, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 5, 2014. Her funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 9, 2014 in Bethel United Methodist Church, 57 Pitt Street, at 2:00 p.m. Interment, Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

Doris was born December 2, 1920 in Charleston, SC, the daughter of the late Francis Edward Nolte and the late Cora Mae Huffman Nolte. She was a 1942 graduate of Columbia College. Doris touched the lives of generations of students while teaching for 34 years at St. Andrews Elementary School. She retired in 1980.

First married to the late John Thompson Penney, she is survived by her loving husband, William "Bill" Gordon Hamilton; daughter, Ann Penney Baker Morris (David); son, Thompson Edward Penney (Gretchen); a sister, Jean Nolte Godwin of Winnsboro, SC; grandchildren: Dr. Fletcher Thompson Penney, John Colin Penney and Cameron Bethea Baker (Megan). She is also survived by her husband's children: William G. Hamilton, Jr., Patricia H. Stennett (Gary), Pamela H. Smith (Timothy) and Robert C. Hamilton; step-grandchildren: David P. Morris, IV (Kara), Gil P. Morris (Nancy), Samantha R. Morris, C. Brooks Johnson, III, Frances L. Johnson, Christopher A. Thrasher, Melissa S. Nunes (Valmar), Stefanie A. Stennett and Britney L. Smith; and five step great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a grandson, Travis Robert Baker and a brother, Francis E. Nolte, Jr.

Doris was a life long member of Bethel United Methodist Church, where she sang in the Chancel Choir and in the Cokesbury Chorale. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Exchange Club of Charleston Auxiliary and the National Retired Teachers Association. During World War II, she was a volunteer with the American Red Cross as a "Grey Lady" visiting hospitalized war veterans. In her later years, she did volunteer work at Roper Hospital. Throughout her life, Doris was the epitome of a true southern lady. She always had a contagious sense of optimism, a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.

Special thanks to her Visiting Angels: Genice, Nancy, Margaret, Diane and Sharlene; and to Agape Hospice, especially Morgan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 57 Pitt Street, Charleston, SC 29403.