Meet the Deputies: Lonnie Hamilton

Lonnie Hamilton, III

Lonnie Hamilton, III

Lonnie Hamilton has been a member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Charleston for 57 years and served on the vestry, as choirmaster, and in many other leadership roles. He has served on the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Council in South Carolina, and this will be his fifth General Convention as a deputy or alternate. Lonnie is a retired administrator with the Charleston County School District, and served his community as a member of Charleston County Council for more than 20 years. He was the first African American to serve on that body, and was twice elected as its chairman.

Lonnie is also a renowned alto saxophonist and clarinetist who toured with the Jenkins Orphanage Bands in the mid-1940s and played with his own band, Lonnie Hamilton and the Diplomats, which was the signature jazz band in Charleston for decades.

Lonnie has visited Salt Lake City previously on vacation, and is looking forward to this trip and the special Diocese of Utah event at the Mormon Tabernacle that is part of the General Convention schedule. He’s also happy to be working with a full deputation again and to take care of the business of the church at large.