OBITUARY Doris Jean Hamilton September 19, 1926 – August 19, 2018 Doris Jean (Rice) Hamilton of Quartzsite Arizona and Beaumont and Cherry Valley California passed away on August 18th, 2018 at Miravilla Care Center in Cherry Valley California. Doris had resided at the care center since this past March where she was recovering from a fall at her home in Quartzsite Arizona where she broke her hip. Up until that time she had been living alone following the passing of her beloved husband, Chaunce Hamilton in December 2016 just two weeks short of their 70th wedding anniversary. Doris was fiercely independent and wanted to remain in Quartzsite after Chaunce’s death, but after her fall her sons, Bob and Randy, helped her decide to stay at Miravilla Care Center in Cherry Valley for rehabilitation and where Randy could visit, which he faithfully did on a twice daily schedule. Doris’ health was up and down while at Miravilla and it became obvious that a full recovery would not be likely. Doris was born in Blythe California to Clarence and Mildred Rice at their homestead ranch on September 19th, 1926. She passed just a month and day before her 92nd birthday. Doris grew up in Blythe, helping her mother and father and her older sister, Peggy (Rice) Martin with the demanding tasks of farming and ranching. She enjoyed her schooling and was an excellent student. She was the last surviving member of her family of origin as her mother, father and sister preceded her in death. After high school Doris attended classes at Palo Verde Community College until moving to Beaumont to pursue a career in banking. Doris returned to Blythe and married Chaunce Hamilton on December 29, 1946 after a short whirlwind romance. Chaunce had recently returned from his service in the U.S. Army during World War II. Chaunce and Doris settled in Blythe and raised a family with four children; Bob, Karen, Randy and Darleen. The family moved to Cherry Valley in 1962 to be closer to medical services for Darleen, who was born in 1960 with spina bifida and passed away in 1974 at 14 years of age. After retiring Doris and Chaunce moved from Cherry Valley to Banning, then Pine Cove in the Idyllwild area. They also cared for Doris’ father, Clarence Rice at his Beaumont home for nearly ten years. Finally having some time for themselves, they traveled the US and Canada, as well as taking a European trip. Following that, they traveled to Hawaii and fell in love with the islands. They moved to the Island of Hawaii, in an area south of Hilo. After a few years they returned to California and resettled in Beaumont. But it wasn’t long before the ocean called them to a lovely home overlooking the San Luis Rey river and Pacific Ocean in Oceanside. Following those years, they came to Quartzsite in 1984 and developed Rice Ranch, a seasonal camp and sell park on the south side of town. They really enjoyed the hard work and meeting all the folks who came to stay from all over North America. After developing the park into one of the nicest in Quartzsite over a 22 year period, they relinquished management of Rice Ranch to their Managers, Sean and Ann Austin, but remained on the property in support of the Ranch. Sean and Ann became like family to Chaunce and Doris. After Chaunce’s death, Sean and Ann also provided support for Doris along with frequent visits from her son Randy. Bob would also visit from Northern California when possible. Doris’ niece Becki and her husband, Richard Phipps, of Blythe/Prescott also visited frequently. Doris’ grandniece, Stephanie Todd, was also a frequent visitor. It was a good support team for Doris that helped her maintain her independence until these past six months. Wherever they were, Doris and Chaunce always joined a church that preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and spiritually and financially supported that church. For many years, they have also supported missionaries all over the world. They were members of the Community Bible Church of Quartzsite Arizona as well as the Presbyterian Church in Beaumont California and the Idyllwild Bible Church in Idyllwild California and the Brethren Church in Cherry Valley California. When Doris turned 90 in 2016, her family had a party for her at her Quartzsite residence where nearly 40 family members and friends celebrated this event. Doris is survived by three of her four children, Bob, Karen (Rumore) and Randy. Doris’ seven grandchildren include, Carrie (Meyer), Robert J, Randy Jr, Michael, Jeff, Kelsey (Fox) and Wendy (Cooney). Her nine great children include Richard, Cody, Mariah (Meyer), Mason (Meyer), Jay, Van, Annalyn, Jayden and her newest granddaughter, Iris Rey (Fox). Doris is also survived by niece Becki (Phipps), and nephews Jim (Martin), Ken, Don, and Dennis. Viewing for Doris will be held at the Weaver Mortuary and Crematory Beaumont California on Monday, August 27th from 9:00 to 11:00 am and a memorial service follows at 11:00 am. The Mortuary is located at 1177 Beaumont Avenue, Beaumont California. There will be a gravesite ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery following the memorial service. The memorial service and gravesite ceremony will be officiated by Pastor Scott Mason of the Beaumont Presbyterian Church, where Doris attended many years while a resident there. The cemetery is located at 1315 Edgar Avenue, Beaumont California. Send Flowers Show Your Support Share Obituary share to facebook share by email share link Receive Notifications
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Doris Jean Hamilton 2018.
Death notice for the town of: beaumont, state: California