A black wreath now hangs on the office door of a deceased Mississippi State University employee. Deborah Hamilton was 53 when she passed away in a car accident Monday afternoon.
Greg Merchant, Lowndes County Coroner, said she was pronounced dead on the scene.
“She was driving her vehicle and exited off of Highway 82. (She) was crossing the southbound lane (of Highway 45 Alternate) when she was struck on the driver’s side,” he said.
Merchant said Hamilton’s daughter, Temeria Poe, was with her in the accident and sustained serious injuries. He said the entire family was devastated by the tragedy.
Mike Harris, director of parking operations and Deborah’s friend, said she was the manager of laundry operations in the Roberts Building next to Parking Services. He summed up how her coworkers were handling the news with a few words.
“They’re shocked. Absolutely shocked,” he said.
Harris said he spoke with Deborah before she left on the day of the accident.
“I’ve known her for 14 years, and she’s been with the university for 22,” Harris said. “She was basically my right arm when it comes to our operations over here. She’s just a very close and dear friend.”
He said losing her is a loss for the entire MSU family.
“I don’t think people understand we spend more time with our work family than our biological family. We’ve all been together for a long time, and it’s like losing a sister for me,” Harris said.
He said several people came by her former work place on Tuesday to express their condolences and grieve with friends and co-workers.
Heather Enas, Deborah’s coworker, said she was a strong leader and a very outgoing person.
Coworkers Penny Blair, Tomara Scales and Enas all agreed she was the life of the party.
“I just feel like she gave each and every one of us a chance to better our lives at Mississippi State, and she didn’t have to,” Enas said. “(Deborah) gave all of us our jobs. We really miss her.”
Juanita (Niecy) Minor, Deborah’s cousin and coworker, said Deborah’s job at the laundry was her life, and she rarely took vacations.
“She loved this job,” she said. “This was her sanctuary. She would get here every morning at six on the dot and leave at 3:30.”
Minor said a plaque would be hung on her office door to commemorate her time at MSU.
“I don’t care how many people they put in that office; that will always be Deborah’s office,” she said.
Sheila Blakely, Deborah’s younger sister, said when her sister laughed, it could be heard throughout the laundry.
“She was very strong-willed (and) easy going,” she said. “She was one of those people that when you met her, you had a friend.”
Blakely said Deborah had a love for her entire family and loved watching her grandson play baseball. At the time of her passing, Deborah attended Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Starkville.
“She loved the Lord, and no matter what people thought about her, she loved people and she loved life,” Minor said.
Blakely said since Deborah’s daughter is still in the hospital from the accident, funeral arrangements have not yet been made.