Leonard Hamilton's mother dies at age 96

Funeral service set Saturday in North Carolina for mother of Florida State's Leonard Hamilton

Published On: Mar 01 2013 02:52:23 PM EST
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -

Florida State basketball coach Leonard Hamilton is planning to attend his mother's funeral in North Carolina this weekend, a day before his Seminoles take on the Tar Heels.

Bennie Ruth Hamilton died last week at the age of 96.

Coach Hamilton said the loss of his mother was one of the most difficult things he's faced in his lifetime, but that he was uplifted by her long life and cherishes many good memories of his mother.

The funeral service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at the Mt. Zion Restoration Church in Gastonia, N.C. Hamilton's team is set to play at North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Sunday.

Mrs. Hamilton is survived by two daughters, four sons and a stepson, 11 grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

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