Cecelia Tyson Hamilton was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 9, 1931.  She was the second child and only daughter of William and Mildred Hamilton.  She grew up in a Christian home with her four brothers William (Billy), Julius, Joseph (Joe) and Robert (Bobby).  Sadly, Bobby preceded her in death and passed away at the tender age of 5 years old.  He was missed but never forgotten by his parents and siblings.

Cecelia and her family moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1948.  This is the same year that she graduated from Central High School, near the top of her class.  She attended both Kent State University and Case Western Reserve University before being hired by The Ohio Bell Telephone Company in the 1950’s.  Cecelia had a vibrant and successful career at The Ohio Bell Telephone Company, which later became known as AT&T.  She retired in 1991 after more than 35 years of service as a supervisor in accounting and later in associate training.  At the same time Cecelia was pursuing her corporate career, she and Momma raised her nephew Michael.  They were also small business owners.  They owned The Delicatessen on Lakeview Rd. for two decades spanning from the 1960’s – 1980’s.  They survived the Hough Riots in 1966 and continued to serve their neighborhood for many years.  Her nephew Michael, who was an important part of her life, helped her run the store.  If you ask Cecelia’s nieces and nephews what they remember most about The Delicatessen, most would answer the frozen custard and the penny candy!

Cecelia was a devout Christian and an active member of The Episcopal Church.  She was also an ordained minister and held many positions at The Church of the Transfiguration and The Church of the Incarnation.  She loved our Lord Jesus Christ and her faith led her to share The Word with her family and friends.

There was no shortage of hobbies and interest for Cecelia.  One of her passions was family history.  She spent many years traveling to libraries, county offices, and archives to research our genealogy.  She documented our family tree back to the Revolutionary War.  She was so excited when she would find a family member for whom she had been searching.  All of her relatives are forever grateful to her for the information that she uncovered and for teaching us about our history.  She was an avid painter who showcased her artwork at several art shows around town and on the walls of her church and her home.  She was on The Art Council.  She loved classical music and theater.  You might have run into her at Severance hall or Playhouse Square where she served as a volunteer usher.   She also loved to travel.  She visited many states, Caribbean islands and several countries in Africa.  Later in life, she became an ombudsman who advocated for the elderly in nursing homes.  Cecelia also loved to cook.  Her nieces and nephews cherish the memories of Sunday and Holiday meals with Aunt Cecelia and Grandma.  The dinners were delectable, but we all remember one thing most.  The desserts!  Ask any one of us what was our favorite and we would all answer in unison the wonderful pistachio bundt cake!

Cecelia was a favorite for many family members and she was greatly loved by her sister-in-law’s Cokie, Marjorie and Delores (Sunday).  Cecelia will be missed by her brother Joseph, her nephews Joseph (Wendy), Michael, Gregory (Dahlys), and Wayne (Bridgette), her nieces Cecelia (Edward) and Crystal (Claude) as well as her great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.