Jessie Dodge Hamlett, 102, a resident of Azalea Trace, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2016.

Jessie was born May 13, 1914, in Kingston, NY. She grew up in New York and Massachusetts. She graduated from Simmons College and worked as a secretary until World War II, when she joined the newly formed Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.  While stationed at Fort Monroe, VA, she met and married Army Captain Frank R. Hamlett, Jr. After the war ended, Jessie and Frank moved to Frank's family farm in Crockett Mills, TN.

In 1955, the family moved to Gulf Breeze, where Jessie was a homemaker, Girl Scout leader and part-time librarian. During this time, Jessie began knitting the Christmas stockings for which she became known. In 1991, Jessie and Frank moved to Azalea Trace.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Edith Dodge; her sister, Virginia Dodge Jones; her brother, John H. Dodge and her husband, Frank R. Hamlett, Jr.

She is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Richard Haskell) Hamlett, Betty Ann (Richard) Lurton, Carol Hamlett and Janet (Larry) Brasington; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A Memorial service will be held 2:00pm, Friday, November 4, 2016 at Azalea Trace with  Rev. James Dietz officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Employee Appreciation Fund of Azalea Trace, 10100 Hillview Dr., Pensacola, FL 32514.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Azalea Trace for their care and thoughtfulness.