Elynor Elizabeth Butler Hamilton (lifetime nickname of "Dibba") died on December 8, 2024. She was the daughter of the late George Washington Butler, Jr. and Eva Sue Etheredge Butler of Jonestown, Mississippi. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and was a resident of Fort Monroe and Hampton, VA, since 1979.

Dibba graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. She then earned a Master of Arts (MA) in Dance from Texas Woman's University and an MA in Theater from the University of Mississippi, where she met her beloved husband of 51 years, Colonel (Retired) Benjamin M. Hamilton. She taught dance for many years on the college level, directing performing dance groups and choreographing college musicals. She later taught locally at the Hampton Academy of Ballet and for many years performed in their annual production of "The Nutcracker" as the mother of Clara. She was listed in Who's Who of American Women.

During her daughter's school days, Dibba served as PTA President at Thomas Eaton Middle School and Kecoughtan High School. She was active in numerous community activities while living in Hampton. She served on the Board of the Casemate Museum Foundation since its inception in 1983, including as President. She was particularly active on the Board of The Friends of the Hampton Public Library (also serving as President) and continued her association with that organization until her death. She was a member of the Hampton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Willow Oaks Garden Clubs. In addition to these community organizations, she participated in numerous activities and groups in support of Emmanuel Episcopal Church where she was a regular communicant since 1981.

Dibba found her true passion at the Fort Monroe Thrift Shop, where she served as a volunteer beginning in 1985 and then as its manager from 1990 until the closure of Fort Monroe in 2011. Thrift Shop earnings provided scholarships to deserving military dependents and supported other morale and welfare activities at Fort Monroe. Over her 21 years, Thrift Shop Volunteers raised more than $195,000. For her leadership as well as her volunteer contributions to the Casemate Museum Foundation and the Fort Monroe Spouses' and Civilians' Club, Dibba was awarded the Commander's Award for Public Service on behalf of the Department of the Army in 2011.

She easily made friends wherever she went; to have known Dibba, even for a minute, was to love her. Dibba's outgoing personality, infectious smile, and "southern" style and accent were truly her hallmarks. These characteristics also made her a wonderful "Army wife" and her late husband, Ben, used to say that people only knew and remembered him because "he was Dibba's husband." Dibba and her beloved circle of friends continued to enjoy many fun gatherings, dinners, and weekly coffee as the "Juliets" until her death. She was also known for giving her baked bread as a gesture of love and gratitude.

Her happiest times were those spent with her granddaughters, helping them as they learned to walk and continuing to cheer them on through their academic and extracurricular pursuits. She and her daughter were known for their post-holiday shopping excursions (Dibba loved a sale!), and she cherished extended family vacations at the Outer Banks and Bald Head Island, NC. She loved visiting many enchanting places with Ben, and she continued to travel near and far after his death.

Dibba is survived by her daughter Margaret Sue Hamilton Brown and her husband, Edward, of Richmond, VA; granddaughters Ella and Tessa Brown; her sister, Suzy Hutton of Seal Beach, CA; children of her late husband, Ben Hamilton, Jr. of Rego Park, NY, and Laura Hamilton of Hendersonville, NC; step-grandchildren (for whom she was always a wonderful "Nana") Sarah (Lane) Jenks and Rachel Hamilton; beloved cousins in her original home state of Mississippi; in-laws Drs. Chester and Mary Etta Brown of Gloucester, VA; and her faithful next-door neighbor of 42 years, Mary King.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 179 East Mercury Boulevard in Hampton, with The Reverend Rhonda Wheeler officiating. Burial will follow in March at Arlington National Cemetery where Dibba will be reunited with her husband. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to The Friends of the Hampton Library, 4207 Victoria Boulevard, Hampton, VA, 23669, or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home