Reverend Olin S. Hamlin

During the afternoon of Friday, January 27, 2023, Reverend Olin Soloman Hamlin joined his Lord and Savior in heaven.

Olin was born on January 14, 1929, in Jackson, Georgia to the late John and Bessie Asbell Hamlin. Olin was a member of First Baptist Church of Eastman, but his ministry began many years before as the Lord began leading his heart to be more involved in the ministry. After speaking in various churches, Olin was called to become the pastor of County Line Baptist Church in Dooly County which he would lead for four years. The Lord would continue to guide Olin to Riverside Baptist Church in Hawkinsville, where he ministered and continued to work for the cement company. He went on to lead New Union Baptist Church in Dodge County, Cottondale Baptist Church in Eastman, Gresston Baptist Church in Gresston, New Union Baptist in Dodge County and Community Baptist Church in Centerville. After leaving Centerville, Olin became the pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Taylor County where he would serve for over five years. Upon his retirement with Medusa Cement Company in 1978, after 30 years of loyal service, Olin accepted the calling of full-time ministry and became the pastor of Unity Baptist Church in Alma, Georgia. The Lord led him back to pastor at Midway Baptist Church, and then, Plainfield Baptist Church. A search committee from Zion Hope Baptist Church heard Olin preach and extended an invitation for him to pastor their church. He would serve as full-time pastor for almost 20 years. At this time, Olin decided his days for full-time pastoring had come to an end and him and Mary moved back to Eastman. He continued to pastor in an interim capacity in the local area. Olin always said, “God has wonderfully blessed us. We have seen some dark days, but the brightness of God’s light, through His blessings, overshadowed any darkness.”

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Steve Hamlin; daughters-in-law, Janet Hamlin and Debbie Hamlin; and seven siblings.

His memory will forever be treasured by his devoted wife of 75 years, Mary Bozeman Hamlin; children, Mary Ann Mullis (Gerald), Rick Hamlin, Gary Hamlin, and David Hamlin (Lisa); daughter-in-law, Carol Hamlin; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation with Olin’s family will be Tuesday, January 31, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Eastman. The funeral service celebrating his life will immediately follow at 3:00 p.m. with the Reverend Mike Grenade, Reverend Todd Crosby and Reverend Roy Williams officiating. Following the service, Olin will be laid to rest in Orphans Cemetery in Dodge County with Reverend Jason Hamlin officiating.

For friends and family unable to attend, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Reverend Olin S. Hamlin to Sterizo, 424 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 or www.sterizo.us.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.