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Remembering
Mildred Hamilton Pack Guy
By Sherlon Brown, PhD, Daughter of Mildred Blanche Pack Guy
Mildred Blanche Hamilton Pack Guy born September 20, 1925,
was the seventh of 14 children born into the loving
family of Otie B. and Sadie Kate Hamilton of Red Sulphur
Springs, West Virginia. While sleeping, Mildred passed into
eternal glory on June 18, 2019.
Mildred attended Windydale Elementary School in Ballard,
West Virginia. She attended and graduated from Genoa Senior
High School in Bluefield, West Virginia. She worked as a
live-in-maid for four years while in high school. Upon
graduating from Genoa High School, she was awarded a
scholarship to Bluefield State College. In I957, Mildred
graduated magna cum laude earning a bachelor’s degree in
Elementary Education from West Virginia State College
(University).
Mildred married two men who were the loves of her life.
First, was the sweetheart of her youth, Robert Thomas Pack,
in 1943. To their union one child, Sherlon Patricia Pack,
was born. In 1980, she married the love of her maturity,
Carl S. Guy.
Mildred repeatedly stated, “I was born to be a teacher. I
had great role models. My parents were visionaries. Although
they were not educated, they knew the importance of being
educated. They knew education was one way to have a better
life.”
In keeping with that divine calling, Mildred moved to
Toledo, Ohio where her first position was as a kindergarten
teacher at Washington Elementary School. In August of 1964,
she completed her master’s degree in Administration and
Supervision at the University of Toledo. She interned at
East Side Central and Beverly Elementary Schools in 1965.
She became an assistant principal at Pickett, Spencer
Sharples, Spring and Lagrange Elementary Schools. She
retired from the Toledo Public Schools as the principal at
Marshall Elementary School.
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In later years, Mildred wrote, “As I reflect on my life,
I am reminded of how greatly God has blessed me and my
family. In every phase of my life I have seen God’s work.
Even when things were difficult, they were replaced with a
double blessing from God. I promised God and my parents to
always share my talents and blessings with others. I have
tried to do that and God has been good to me and blessed me
bountifully.”
As a testimony to her service to her faith in God, Mildred
(lovingly known as Sister Guy) was a vibrant, engaging
member of First Church of God for at least 50 years. She was
visible, dependable and impactful until her health failed.
She founded and was the first director of 4-Corners
Project tutoring program offered at the church. As a
member of the 50 Plus Group, she enjoyed
participating in the annual “Older Saint’s Mini-Convention”.
Sister Guy chaired the
Education Committee for many years and served as Sunday
School superintendent and also worked to coordinate Vacation
Bible School. She regularly gave money each year to enable a
child to attend the Annual National Youth Convention. She
was a leader for the Light of the World Congregation
and served as a member of the Church Official Board for
several years.
Her community service included membership of the boards of
directors of FOCUS and TUSA, organizations that provided
educational enrichment for neighborhood children. She also
served on the Education Committee at TUSA.
A gracious, dignified and stylish lady, Mildred was a member
of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority for 60-plus years. She
served in numerous capacities including as an Ivy Academy
Tutor, a member of the Education Committee, and the
Scholarship Committee. She was president of Women’s Service
Institute (WSI) as well as President of the Saddlebrook
Platt II, Lot 9 Condo Association and a member of Frederick
Douglas Community Association.
Mildred loved reading books, playing cards, watching
Wheel of Fortune, and spending time with her family. She
and her family functioned as a team with each member
supporting and encouraging the other during times of
tribulation and success. Her motto was, “That’s what
families do!”
Mildred Pack Guy was preceded in death by her parents, 12
siblings, Robert Pack and Carl Guy. Remaining to fondly
cherish her memory are her dedicated daughter, Sherlon
Brown, PhD (Alolson); grandchildren Allison Kimbrough (Les),
Scott Allen Brown, Tony Olson Brown; great grandchildren:
Taylor Brown-Smith, Courtney Smith, Camryn Smith and Aaliyah
Brown-Coleman; her sister Bessie Anderson of Institute, West
Virginia, sisters-in-law Shirley Hamilton of Austell,
Georgia and Margie Guy of Toledo as well as host of nieces,
nephews and friends.
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