LILIUOKALANI BENTON, effectually known as "Lillie" and "Babe" Morton-Hamilton. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, she was preceded by her husband, James Hamilton. She was the daughter of Thomas F. Benton and Liliuokalani Bailey Benton. She was also preceded in death by six brothers, Thomas Benton, Jr., William Benton, Clarence L. Benton, Richard Benton, John Benton, James Benton; two sisters, Ed Lena Benton and Lou Ellen B. White; as well as her daughter, Senoria A. Bond. She is survived by: three sisters, Katie M. Canada of Lexington, KY, June E. Taylor (John Henry) of Lexington, KY, and Helen R. Ousley, Cincinnati, OH; two sons, Winston A. Morton, Jr. (Bert) of Lexington, KY, and John K. Morton (Shirlie) of Cleveland, OH; one daughter, Clarencetta M. Clarke of Tampa, FL; stepchildren who spent so many summers with her, including James Hamilton II (Shelia) of Louisville, KY, Glenda L. Hamilton of Louisville, KY, William "Chuck" Hamilton, Patricia (Pastor Carr) Hamilton-Carr, and Garland "Chip" Hamilton of Louisville, KY; nine grandchildren, Larry Johnson, Stacy Morton, Cheri (Rodney) Stewart, Winston A. Morton III, Manwell Benton, LaVette "Missy" (Antonio) Johnson, John K. Morton II, Aisha Benton-Bond, and Terra Benton-Bond; 28 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. As the matriarch of the family, our mother was so loved by many families and friends. She taught us how to pray, cook, and make homemade butter dinner rolls, which became a tradition for Sunday dinners and family reunions. In her earlier days, she enjoyed fishing with her auntie, Amanda Bailey, and writing poems, and reading the Bible was always her favorite way to pass time throughout the day. Mom was a "Godly Woman", and she kept a hand-written record of all family members who had and had not accepted our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as their personal savior. She would reach out to them and let them know how important it was for them to surrender themselves to the Lord. Family meant a lot to mom and her love for them was undeniable. Some of the most memorable moments for our family was her preparation in life. She always said, "Being in the world and not of it is where we have to live." She was always prepared in season and out of season, whether it was cooking, hot-combing hair, sharing the Gospel, or praying for others. Her tender but bold spirit in Christ propelled her to witness to the lost souls of the Appalachian Mountains, and the incarcerated prisoners. Her grandchildren knew they, too, had to be prepared, especially if you spent the night on Saturday to go to church on Sunday. You had to have your clothes prepared on Saturday night so you could go over your Sunday school lesson in preparation for you to give an account of the topic. Her preparation also had a humorous side to it, along with her partner, her sister, Katie Canada. These two ladies would always be prepared to attend others' home going services, even if they barely knew the deceased, which led to their family saying Babe and Katie are gone to a friend's home going. Nevertheless, I know the family appreciated seeing the two golden girls. In closing, Mom was a gentle soft soul who lived her life prepared even until her last breath. So, I say to y'all, if it's anything that should be learned today is be prepared because we know not the time, hour, or when our day will come, and hopefully with God's grace we will be prepared as Sister Lillie Hamilton was. "A godly woman serves the Lord her faith will keep her there. She sets a fine example, on her knees bowed down in prayer." Rest well Mommy, we're okay because of you! Service 12pm Saturday May 10, 2025 at Consolidated Baptist Church 6125 Russell Cave Road Lexington, Kentucky 40505. Visitation 10am until time of service.

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