Shirley Potter Hamilton, 79, of Skaggs Road, Morehead, community leader, mentor, and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2014, at Baptist Health in Lexington. Born July 31, 1935, in Raceland, she was a daughter of the late Lester and Ida Smith Potter. Her husband, Steve Hamilton, whom she wed June 13, 1956, preceded her in death on December 2, 1997. She is survived by their four children: Stephanie (Amos Wayne) Fightmaster of Lexington, Elizabeth (Sanford) Terry of Beavercreek, Ohio, Robert (Judy) Hamilton of Ashland, and Daniel (Jennifer) Hamilton of Cincinnati, Ohio; one sister, Pat Boodry of Ashland; 14 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and dear nieces and nephews. Shirley graduated from Morehead State University with a bachelor's degree in 1957 and the master's degree in 1962. Her education and life experiences provided a backdrop for her visionary focus in life from traveling the world with her Yankee pitcher husband for nearly 20 years, facilitating family matters both at home and on the road, working, and volunteering. Shirley began her career with the City of Morehead as a City Planning Aid. In 1979, she joined the staff at Morehead State University, and retired as Director of Community Development and Continuing Education in 2000. She was a member of Morehead City Council for ten years. Well known as an advocate, Shirley staunchly supported her point of view, often citing her 'Turtle Theme-Behold the turtle that only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.' She was influential in creating Morehead's first zoning map, wrote the grant that secured the Morehead Area Transit Bus (MAT), and worked tirelessly to keep the historical Rowan County Courthouse building. As chair of the Downtown Development Committee, she was actively involved with Morehead Tomorrow and the Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce. She served on numerous boards including Whitaker Bank, the East Kentucky Leadership Foundation, East Kentucky Corporation, Kentucky Women in Leadership, and was chair of the Kentucky University and Continuing Education Council. She was the recipient of the Ora L. Cline Award for Outstanding Community Service the Chamber of Commerce in 2001 and was awarded the East Kentucky Leadership Award for Private Individual Award in 2008. Ongoing participation included 'The Great Clean-up,' which she founded, the Annual Craft Markets at MSU, Sister Cities, Wilderness Road Girl Scouts Council, and Morehead State University Eagles. She also enjoyed Career Women Investors and her longtime bridge club meetings. Shirley was a devoted member of the Morehead United Methodist Church. She will be remembered as a mentor to family, colleagues and friends-always encouraging, always inspiring. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, November 29, 2014, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Drew McNeill officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation is 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday, November 28, 2014, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Shirley Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Fund at Morehead State University. Contributions may be mailed to the MSU Foundation, Palmer Development House, Box 1887, Morehead, KY 40351. Visitation: Friday, November 28, 2014, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Funeral: Saturday, November 29, 2014, at 11 a.m. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens