Cynthia Jeannette Scarlett, aged 92, of Fairborn, OH, passed away peacefully at the Miami Valley South Hospital on Friday, December 5, 2025. She was born January 7th, 1933, the daughter of Dr. Russell Hamrick and Phyllis Pearson Hamrick, in Charleston, West Virginia.
She grew up in St. Albans’s West Virginia, and in 1952 at the age of 19 she joined the Women’s Air Force (WAF). She went to Keesler AFB in Mississippi and trained to be a radio operator. She was then sent to Eglin AFB and assigned to the Crash Rescue Boat Squadron.
Cynthia married Jack Thompson in 1953 and had 2 children, Tracey Jane and Russell John Thompson. She was totally devoted to her 2 children.
Cynthia was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1954. She divorced Jack and found her way to WPAFB in Fairborn, OH, and began a career in the civil service at the base, performing various jobs. After 29 years she retired from the base in 1990.
Cynthia married Eugene Scarlett in 1990 and spent 10 wonderful years with him before he died.
Cynthia loved books and reading. She also loved writing, including poetry, short stories and even an unpublished novel. She was also an accomplished seamstress and quilter, and did cross stitch and needlework. She also painted several paintings.
She was a long time member of Mary, Help of Christians Catholic Church in Fairborn. She volunteered in the church office, participated in Bible Studies, and loved helping with the church’s annual Christmas Bazaars.
Cynthia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene Scarlett, her 2 children Tracey Jane Thompson and Russell John Thompson, her father and mother, Dr. Russell Hamrick and Phyllis Hamrick and her sister Jane Hamrick Jones. She is survived by her sister Susan Hamrick Meadows (Steve), 2 nieces and 3 nephews, several stepchildren and grandchildren, and her son’s stepchildren, Callie Thompson Frederick and John Tolar.
Cynthia loved spending time with family and friends and was always there for anyone who needed her. The last 2 lines of a poem she wrote exemplify the way she sought to live her life
“I strive to live that others see
The soul of Christ, living in me.”
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Mary, Help of Christians Church, 954 N. Maple Avenue, Fairborn, Father Charles Lang, celebrant. The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass. Burial to follow at Fairfield Cemetery, Fairborn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton.
Mary, Help of Christians Catholic Church
Mary, Help of Christians Catholic Church
Fairfield Cemetery
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