Steve Hamlin

1949 - May 4, 2021

REV. CHARLES STEPHEN “STEVE” HAMLIN, age 72, of Rhine, GA, died Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at his residence.

Obituary for Steve Hamlin

REV. CHARLES STEPHEN “STEVE” HAMLIN, age 72, of Rhine, GA, died Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at his residence.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM Saturday, May 8, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Todd Crosby, Rev. Ricky Gilmore, and Rev. Douglas McHenry officiating, with interment in Bay Springs Cemetery in Rhine.

 Steve was born in Perry and his parents moved to Eastman in 1962 where he started the ninth grade at Dodge County High School, where he later graduated. He was a member of Eastman First Baptist Church, where he was a member of the church orchestra and choir. He served his country as a member of the United States Army, assigned to the 3rd Army Band in the late 1960' s and was stationed near Heidelberg, Germany, Seoul, South Korea, as well as Atlanta Georgia during the Vietnam War. One of his most memorable experiences of that time was playing a band concert at an orphanage in Korea. Upon completing his military service, he used his GI bill to attend college to pursue a degree in Music Education. After completing a two-year degree program at Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon, GA, Steve attended and graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK. Like his father, Steve was an ordained minister of the gospel. He served as a music minister in several churches. He later graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY in 1982 with a Master of Church Music/Ministry/Voice degree. He served in numerous positions as Minister of Music and Youth or Senior Adults throughout the 1980’s in Brunswick and Lilburn, GA and in Whitesburg, KY. He also developed a skill as a piano tuner/technician and was one of three selected to attend a newly developed 1-year apprentice program through the University of Louisville, KY in 1991-92. Upon its completion, he returned to GA to begin a tuning position with a music store in Savannah, GA.

Steve met and married his first wife, Juanita Louise Smoot while they were seminary students and was the proud father of their two sons, Justin Stephen Hamlin (b. 1986) and Alexander Smoot Hamlin (b. 1990). He was especially proud of their military service and that they shared similar oversees duty locations. Steve loved being a father and enjoyed sharing in the milestones of the lives of his sons.

 Steve enjoyed woodworking in his shop, Blue Bird Restorations, was an avid musician, and a dedicated member of the Sons of Jubal. He often said that his career in music made it possible to travel all over the world to spread musical joy in places such as, North Korea, Israel, The British Isles, among others. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father, stepfather, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by 2 Sisters-in-law, Janet Hamlin and Debbie Hamlin.

 He is survived by his Wife of 5 years – Carole Conley Hamlin of Rhine; 2 Sons – Justin Hamlin of Nashville, TN, and Alex Hamlin of Bonaire; 2 Step-Daughters – Paige Mincey (Keith) of Rhine and Amanda Anderson (Joe) of Arroyo Grande, CA; Step-Son – Mony Redd (Renee) of Lakemont, GA; 4 Grandchildren – Marlo Bass, Marie Creech, Jared Anderson, and Dustin Reeves; 6 Great-Grandchildren – Brogen Redd, Bridge Bass, Bexley Bass, Annisten Creech, Wiley Kait Creech, and Corrinne Reeves; Mother and Father – Mary Bozeman Hamlin and Rev. Olin Hamlin of Eastman; Sister – Mary Ann Mullis (Gerald) of Eastman; 3 Brothers – Ricky Hamlin of Warner Robins, Gary Hamlin of Perry, and David Hamlin (Lisa) of Center Star, AL; Numerous Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins.

 The family may be contacted at the Hamlin residence, 274 2nd Street, Rhine, GA, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 12:30PM-2:00PM Saturday, May 8. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to the Sons of Jubal, C/O Jubal Ministries, Inc., Attn: Phil Myers, Jr., P.O. Box 41, Jersey, GA 30018.


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