June 22, 2025 — Alzenia Lynn Hamilton, the Emmy-nominated actress celebrated for her warm presence in Sanford and Son and The Waltons, passed away peacefully at her Chicago home on June 19, 2025. She was 95.
Born April 25, 1930, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, to parents Nancy and Louis Hamilton, she moved to Chicago Heights, Illinois, at age 12. Her artistic journey began at Bloom High School and flourished through training at Goodman Theatre.
A Versatile Career Rooted in Theatre
Hamilton debuted on Broadway in Only in America (1959), later starring in three other Broadway productions and Off-Broadway plays. She honed her craft over three years with the New York Shakespeare Festival before transitioning to television.
Iconic TV Roles
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Donna Harris: Fred Sanford’s endearing nurse-turned-fiancée in Sanford and Son (1972–1977). Despite fan devotion, her character was written out when the show rebooted as Sanford (1980).
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Verdie Grant Foster: The Waltons’ compassionate neighbor in The Waltons (1973–1981), appearing in over 20 episodes.
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Cousin Georgia Anderson: A standout role in Roots: The Next Generations (1979).
Guest Appearances & Range
Hamilton graced countless series, including:
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Sitcoms: Good Times, *227*, The Golden Girls
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Soaps: Generations, Port Charles
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Drama: Gunsmoke (as “Mother Tabitha,” 1969), Mannix (S3E13), Barnaby Jones (“Sunday: Doomsday,” 1973), and The Practice (recurring role as Judge Fulton).
Dispelling a Persistent Rumor
Though often mistaken as sisters with Sanford and Son co-star LaWanda Page (Esther Anderson), Hamilton clarified they were close friends—not relatives. Page’s own sister coincidentally shared the name “Lynn,” fueling confusion. Series star Demond Wilson confirmed this in 2016.
Personal Life & Legacy
Hamilton married poet-playwright Frank Jenkins in November 1964. Their 49-year union ended with his passing in August 2014. She is remembered for her grace on-screen and enduring friendships off-screen.
Her final years were spent in Chicago, concluding a six-decade career that brought warmth to American living rooms. No cause of death was specified beyond natural causes.
“Hamilton’s Donna and Verdie weren’t just characters—they felt like family. Her authenticity made her a quiet giant of 70s television.” — Television Historian, The Hollywood Reporter.
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