Sadie Hamlett

July 29, 1930 - June 23, 2021

Sadie Lee (Oliver) Hamlett, daughter of Joseph Oliver, Sr. and Willie Lee Oliver, was born on July 29, 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland. She peacefully entered into eternal rest surrounded by her family on June 23, 2021. Sadie received her formal education in the Baltimore City Public Schools, graduating from Frederick Douglass High School in 1949. She also took adult education classes at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC). Sadie was an avid reader and constant learner, who had a vast knowledge of current and historical events, with an impressive command of the English language. Yet, she was a humble spirit and not one to flaunt what she knew. She met and married the love of her life, Maryland Hamlett, Sr while babysitting his nieces, Aileen and Virginia Hamlett. It was love at first sight They were joined in holy matrimony on June 18, 1949 and from this union they raised nine children: Gregory Sr., Maryland Jr., Anthony Sr., Vondalea, Wendall, Ward, Vanessa, Leslie and Lansing. The Hamlett household was always busy and full of life. There was never a dull moment. While Maryland was at work, Sadie kept watch over their nine children, including one physically disabled child. Even while handling the awesome responsibility of taking care of such a large family, she was a mother to many other children in their West Baltimore neighborhood. They loved spending time at the Hamlett household, because they knew they would receive lots of love with a dose of wisdom, balanced with discipline and fun. She was recently described by one of her children as an :iron fist in a velvet glove". Sadie's love and devotion to her family was paramount in her life. Once the youngest of her children started school, Sadie held several jobs outside the home at Mercy Hospital, Beta Shoe Company, and the Baltimore City Public School System. In her leisure time Sadie loved to read do crossword puzzles, shop, bowl, go out to eat with the family and friends. She loved to travel, especially to California to visit her brother Joseph and his family, and her husband's sister Mildred Parker. One of the highlights of Sadie's life was when she and Maryland, along with their daughter Lance and Sadie's Aunt Sally Oliver Scott drove across the country to attend her niece's wedding in California. She loved going on road trips with her family to places like Niagra Falls in Toronto Canada, family reunions in North Carolina and South Carolina; and in recent years, she traveled with some of her children to Ohio to attend her grandson's wedding. One of her last road trips was to North Carolina with her daughter Lance. A dedicated and lifelong member of Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church, Sadie was active in several ministries over the years, including the Clinton R. Coleman Courtesy Guild, the Home and Overseas Missionary Society (WHOMS), also serving as a Stewardess. She regularly attended Bible study classes along with her husband and her daughters. Sadie was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter; and to so many who were blessed to know her, she was a living example of Christian faith and abiding love. Sadie is survived by six children: Anthony (Brenda), Vondalea (Gregory), Wendall (Natalie), Ward (Connie), Vanessa (John), and Lansing; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Dr. Joseph Oliver, Jr., of Los Angeles; a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 64 years, Maryland, Sr., two sons, Gregory Sr., Maryland, Jr., one daughter, Leslie, and one granddaughter, Danielle Wade-Cain.