05/28/2026
Shirley Joyce Grissom Hamilton
Shirley Joyce Grissom Hamilton Cahoon passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2026, in Wilson, North Carolina.
Born on October 26, 1935, in Gastonia, North Carolina, Shirley was the daughter of the late George Lester Grissom and Edith Jennings Grissom. She graduated from Gastonia High School and began a life marked by dedication to family, service, travel, and lifelong learning.
In 1954, Shirley married Walter William Hamilton and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where she worked at North Carolina State College. The couple later moved to Garner in 1959 and then to Chapel Hill in 1963. During her early career, Shirley worked for a lumber company that acquired an interest in a business in the Amazon region of Brazil. Her work involved reviewing stock issuances and accounting records, leading her to travel to Brazil on numerous occasions.
In 1974, Shirley began her career with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as Accounting Manager for UNC Physicians and Associates. During her 29 years with the university, she became known for her diligence and professionalism. Outside of work, she spent countless hours in the university library researching genealogy, a passion that ultimately led to the publication of a book documenting her family history. She retired from UNC in 1996.
Shirley was deeply involved in civic and fraternal organizations throughout her life. In 1981, she served as Worthy Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, traveling throughout every county in North Carolina and forming many lasting friendships. She was a member of Elizabeth City Chapter No. 44 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Shirley was also a Registered Parliamentarian with the National Association of Parliamentarians and generously shared her expertise with numerous nonprofit organizations, including participation in an international meeting.
A proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Shirley cherished both history and family heritage. She especially enjoyed time spent with her siblings and loved ones. An enthusiastic traveler, she visited many countries throughout her life, including Germany, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, Holland, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Dutch Guiana, Mexico, and Canada.
Following her retirement, Shirley married Milton Vernon Cahoon, Jr. and moved to his family farm in Creswell, North Carolina, where she lived for many years until her health declined. She later moved to Wilson, North Carolina. Shirley was a member of Amity United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill and regularly attended Mount Herman United Methodist Church in Creswell.
In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husbands, Walter William Hamilton in 1988 and Milton Vernon Cahoon, Jr. in 2017; her brothers, George Albert Grissom and wife, Sylvia Howe Grissom, and Edward Gene Grissom and wife, Kathleen Hollowell Grissom; her sisters, Eva Ann Grissom Jones and husband, Nathan Lee Jones, and Judith “Judy” Kay Grissom Stewart; her brother-in-law, Wilson Eugene Glaze; sisters-in-law, Betty Hunsinger, Helen Hamilton Russell and husband, Charles, Sarah “Lucille” Hamilton Ramsey and husband, Grover, and Naomi Cahoon Futrell; brothers-in-law, Frank Hamilton and wives, Joyce and Ruth, and Durwood Cooper, Sr.
She is survived by her daughters, Edie Ann Hamilton and husband, Ahmed Shawky Aziz of Durham, North Carolina, and Billie Jean Hamilton and husband, Christopher Jeremie Lilley of Wilson, North Carolina; her grandsons, Alexander Hamilton Aziz and wife, Kelsey Laurenz of Leander, Texas, and Mitchell Garnet Evans, Jr. of Wilson, North Carolina; her sister, Caroline “Carolyn” Mae Grissom Glaze of Hickory, North Carolina.
Shirley is also survived by her sister-in-law, Alma Dean Cooper of Columbia, North Carolina; her stepchildren, Connie Cahoon Liles and husband, Joel of Garner, North Carolina; Kaye Cahoon Phelps of Garner, North Carolina; and Milton Vernon Cahoon III and wife, Angie of Creswell, North Carolina; former stepson-in-law, Larry Whitehurst of Garner, North Carolina; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and step grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.
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