Host Your Event at L.H. Hamlar Event Center

L.H. Hamlar has received enumerable honors. He served as a board member/trustee or chaired many programs. He was the first black member and soon became the first black president of the Roanoke City School Board. Some of his other accomplishments in Civic/Community/Social Affiliations were:

• Beta Phi Boule of Sigma Phi Fraternity
• Burrell Home for Adults
• Chairman of Explorer Park during its formation
• First black member of Roanoke's exclusive Shenandoah Club
• First Federal Savings and Loan Association
• Governing board or membership with counsel of Boy Scouts
• Henry Street Revision Committee
• Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from Roanoke College on May 8, 1999
• Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from Virginia Seminary in Richmond, VA
• Humanitarian Award in 1988 from the Brother/Sisterhood citation by the Roanoke Valley Chapter of Christians and Jews
• Hunton YMCA Inducted into the Virginia State Sports Hall of Fame on June 5, 1999
• Junior Achievement Southwest VA Business Hall of Fame in TAP (Total Action Against Poverty) Now Total Action for Progress
• Kiwanis Club
• Member of Destination Education and helped established Roanoke's Higher Education Center on May 22, 2001
• Named one of the most eligible bachelors by Ebony Magazine
• National Association for the Advancement of Color People
• Noel C. Taylor Distinguished Humanitarian Award in 1993
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc
• Pine Valley Golf Association
• Roanoke Ballet
• Roanoke's Citizen of the year in 2000 and received a key to the city
• Roanoke Civic Center
• Roanoke College - Trustee and board member for 15 years - Started and funded the Minority Business Scholarship.
• Roanoke Memorial Hospital
• Roanoke Symphony Society
• Roanoke Science Museum
• Small Business Administration
• United Negro College Fund
• Virginia Western Community College - board member 8 years and President of the board 2 years. Starting and funded the Minority Business Scholarship
• Wall of Fame Honoree of YMCA family center in 1999

Lawrence H. Hamlar was born 11/27/1921 to the late Robert and Maude Hamlar in Goode, VA. He was the fifth of nine children. The family established permanent residency in Roanoke, VA in 1922.

He transitioned peacefully to his home in glory on 12/31/2003 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. Gods special anointing provided him with tranquility and peace. He was surrounded by his family which was his desire.

L.H. (as he is often referred to) attended the Roanoke public schools and graduated from Lucy Addison High School in 1939; he matriculated at Virginia State College from which he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in physical education and a minor in business. Desiring to become a mortician L.H. did his apprenticeship at Citizens Undertaking in Roanoke. He became a certified licensed mortician after completing the Gupton-Jones School of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN.

L.H. started his life's career with a desire to help others and make a difference. He had overcome feeling inadequate because he did not qualify for the Armed Forces due to a medical disability acquired in childhood. In fact, by the grace of God his parents reassured him of his God given gift to achieve and succeed at whatever he chose while realizing that hard work, commitment and determination was required.

Ultimately, this foundation and the support of a loving, caring family opened the doors for him becoming an outstanding person, leader and a pillar of strength. His eventual awesome contributions to society in general was made possible became he remained a humble compassionate person who willingly became a servant as God had commanded all mankind.

In summarizing his character he was a legendary visionary who became an institution in and of himself; his life impacted the entire state of Virginia. He can best be referred to as a humanitarian, philanthropist, peaceful civil rights activist, promote of educational opportunities, a political promoter, an endorser of social programs, an exceptional athlete (football & basketball) and a proud and proficient golfer.

L.H.'s dream and legacy became a reality through the establishment of the Hamlar and Curtis Funeral Home in 1952. He was a trendsetter in establishing a humble, compassionate mortuary business with his co-owners Cecil and Marilyn Curtis which served the community with highest of standard and uplifted families during a weakened period of bereavement.

It is impossible to adequately share his numerous accomplishments and he would say "It's not necessary" because of his humble nature, he felt the significance truly remained with weather people of need benefited. However, we, the family, felt the accomplishments of a poor committed hard working individual could be an inspiration for others.

L.H. felt the source of his civic and community involvement was associated with educating deserving students by making life better for all residents and working on causes that eliminate barriers for people and promoted small businesses.

Having established his business career, he was desirous of a family life as he had enjoyed with his family. He met a fellow Roanoker, namely Constance Johnson who was teaching at Bennett College in Greensboro, NC. She brought the missing link to his life and that made him complete. They married in 1963 and enjoyed a happy union until she expired in 1981. As a couple they were an extremely happy couple who complimented each other completely. They traveled abroad frequently, participated in social organizations but most importantly they shared and worked together to promote educational opportunities to underprivileged deserving students so they could aspire to search for their dreams.

L.H.'s first major contribution in the Roanoke Valley was working with the biracial committee of white and black business leaders. The twelve members proceeded to desegregating peacefully without event, lunch counters, movie theaters etc. in Roanoke in the 1960s. Proudly, they successfully handled Roanoke's sensitive desegregation problem prior to the Federal Government passing major Civil Rights Legislation.

L.H.'s most exciting accomplishments was the establishment of two memorial scholarships funds in memory of his wife known as the Constance J. Hamlar memorial scholarship for minority students working on an English Degree at Virginia Western Community College in 1981. In 1983, a memorial scholarship was established in her name at Roanoke College.

Hamlar was preceded in death by his devoted and beloved wife, Constance Johnson Hamlar; parents - Robert and Maude Hamlar; Siblings: Alwyn Hamlar Saunders, William Eugene Hamlar, Clarence A. Hamlar, and Natalie Hamlar Mason. His demise was unquestionably affected by the recent death of his business partner and nephew Michael Lee Hamlar. He had anticipated that Mike and his founding partner Cecil Curtis' son "Duke" Curtis would together carry on their legacy. He leaves to cherish his profound legacy four siblings: Ethelyne Hamlar Hipkins, Roanoke, VA.; David D. Hamlar, D.D.S., Columbus, Ohio; Beverly Hamlar, Detroit, ML; Shirley Hamlar Wilson (Thomas), Upper Marlboro MD.; a special niece and caretaker, Brenda Saunders Miller now of Roanoke, VA.; a host of equally fond nephews and nieces; sister-in-law Gwendolyn Lawrence and son, George; three special care providers, Cheryl Jones, Don and Pat Hairston; business co-founder Cecil Curtis, Business Director & VP "Duke" Curtis plus the entire staff of Hamlar & Curtis Funeral Home; extended family members; a host of business and social organization associates; and a special friend, Marzetta Wise Thomas.