Mary Lee Hamilton was born in Scott, Arkansas on October 2, 1942, to Arthur Lee Johnson Sr., and Elizbeth (nee Jones) Johnson.  She was the 4^th of 10 children.  Mary was baptized at an early age and became a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Scott, Arkansas.

Mary attended the Arkansas school system, and later moved in 1960 to Champaign Illinois where she graduated high school. This is where she learned to play basketball and acquired a love for basketball, the Razorbacks.  While in Illinois her beauty led her into modeling for the Sears and Roebuck Department store.

Mary met her 1^st husband Raymond Leroy Winfrey, in Champaign, Illinois, to this union her first son Gregory Winfrey was born.  Prior to moving to Cleveland, Ohio  in 1969 Mary married her 2^nd husband Richard Winston, and to this union her 1^st and only daughter Aquanda LaDon Winston and son Ricky C. Winston were born.

Richard died tragically in 1973.Mary was broken hearted. Richard never wanted her to work he only wanted her to be a great mother often telling her; her only job was to take her of their children.

After Richard’s untimely death Mary began working at LTV Steel where she retired after 28 years.  It was in the late 80’s that she met her 3^rd husband Mr. Hamilton.

Mary was a quiet passionate person.  She was loved and respected by all who knew her.  She will be deeply missed.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Arthur Johnson II and Robert Ware. Three sisters; Evelyn Hicks, Peggy Brown and Dora Moore; and step-mother LaDora Johnson.

She leaves to cherish her memories to sons; Gregory Winfrey of Champaign, Il, Ricky c. (Ericka Walton), of Cleveland, OH, daughter Aquanda LaDon Winston of Kalamazoo, MI. Siblings, Willie James (Vivian) Jones of Cedar Hill, TX., Alfonso Moore, Terry and Michael Moore all of Champaign, IL., Jerry Johnson of Denver CO., Wilford Jones of Sherwood, AR., Larry Jones (Tonia), of North Little Rock, IL, Jerry (Rhonda) Jones of Jacksonville, AR, Wileane (Major)Wilson of Yorktown, VA., Charlene Franklin of Urbana, IL.  She leaves a host of grand and great-grandchildren, along with a host of other relatives and many friends.