Gretna……….Irvin Lee Hamlet, age 92 of Gretna passed away, Sunday, August 3, 2025 in Roanoke.  He was a member of Greenfield Baptist Church in Gretna and also attended New Prospect Baptist Church in Hurt.

Born January 31, 1933 in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of the late Carson Excel Hamlett and Pearl Barnard Hamlett.  He was predeceased by two brothers, Carson E. Hamlett, Jr. and Harold Hamlett; as well as four sisters, Ruby H. Turpin, Frances H. Jones, Myra H. Hodges, and Mary Alice H. Dillard.

Mr. Hamlet was a U.S. Army Signal Corps Veteran, having served honorably in the Korean War.  He was a proud 1961 alumnus of Virginia Tech, serving several terms as President of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Peninsula Chapter. He also had a distinguished career at NASA Langley as an electrical engineer and project manager during America's Space Age and headed the Tech House project to develop solar energy in the 1970s.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Doris "Ann" Mattox Hamlet of Gretna. They lived most of their early years in Newport News where they enjoyed good friends, playing bridge, and traveling to the beach. Mr. Hamlet was also an avid golfer. In his retirement, he also became an amateur architect, designing their home in Williamsburg and later their home in Gretna, where they returned to be near their family.

He is also survived by one daughter, Ellen H. Womble and husband, Andrew of Hampstead, NC; one son, Irvin "Lee" Hamlet, Jr. and wife, Valerie of Roanoke; and five grandchildren, Sam Deyerle and wife, Shani, Rachel Deyerle, Josh Hamlet, Tyler Hamlet and Sophia Hamlet.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2025 at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery in Hurt by Rev. Brady Willis and Mr. Hamlet's niece, Anne Dey. Military Honors by American Legion Altavista Post 36 and Gretna Post 232.

Flowers may be sent to Colbert-Moran in Gretna. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gretna Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 14, Gretna, VA 24557, or to Samaritan's Purse.

Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.