Broadway singer Mr. Lawrence Hamilton, 59, of New York City, NY formerly of Foreman, AR passed away April 3rd at Lenox Hill Hospital.

He was born September 14, 1954 in Ashdown, AR to Oscar Hamilton & Mae Dell Neal-Hamilton.

He starred in Broadway hits, including "Play On", "Jelly's Last Jam", "Ragtime" and recently "The Piano Lesson". He served as a musical director for opera star Jessye Norman and performed for former president Ronald Reagan and at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. He studied music education at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR and later became a member of the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame. He also worked at the Philander Smith College in Little Rock, AR as its cultural affairs director and assistant professor of humanities.

He was born September 14, 1954 in Ashdown, AR to Oscar and mae Dell Neal-Hamilton.
He was preceded in death by his patents, grandparents James "Jim" Hamilton & Mary L. Sanderfur Russell, Dan "Rube" & Louisia Jackson-Neal.

Survivors are three sons; Paulo Petersen of Las Angeles, CA, Alton Hampton Hamilton  & Terrance Hall Hamilton  both of Little Rock, AR. His silblings & their spouses; James Oscar & Vera Hamilton of McCrory, AR, Cedric Cecil Hamilton of Texarkana, TX., Ms. Phyllis Elaine Hamilton of Waldo, AR, Gene Raymond & Debra Hamilton of Nash, TX., Mrs. Evelyn Loretta Hall & John Hall, Jr. of Foreman, AR His uncle; Frank A. & Flora Rowe of Texarkana, TX, an Aunt; Mrs. Susie Mae Neal of Texarkana, TX. Severa nieces & nephews.

Funeral services will be Saturday,  April 12th, at 11:am at Freeman Chapel C.M.E. Church in Ashdown, AR with burial following in the Newsome Cemetery in Millwood, AR.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice...

A wake will be held 5:pm-7:pm Friday, April 11th at Oscar Hamilton Elementary School in Foreman, AR.