Josephine "Mama Jo" Saucier Hamilton

Funeral services for Josephine Saucier Hamiltion of Mansura will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2015 beginning at 10am at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Mansura with Fr. Irion St. Romain officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 7, 2015 beginning at 5pm until 9pm with rosary wake service at 6pm at Escude Funeral Home in Mansura and will resume at 8am Saturday morning. Burial will be at St. Joseph #2 Cemetery in Marksville. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Escude Funeral Home. 
Josephine Saucier Hamilton, 82, a lifelong resident of Avoyelles Parish, passed away Wednesday, August 5th after a short illness. Affectionately known as ''Mama Jo'', she will be greatly missed by the many people she touched and loved through the years.
Mama Jo was the founder and director of the Washington Street Hope Center in Marksville. The Hope Center was the culmination of her sincere desire to help those often shunned and overlooked by society. After years of hard work and perseverance, the Hope Center opened its doors on April 12, 1990 and with the help of her husband James and many of the good people of the community, the Hope Center has since treated and helped thousands of people with alcohol and drug addictions. For her work at the Hope Center, Mama Jo received numerous awards including Avoyellean of the Year in 1990 and the Governor's award in 1994.
Mama Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Hunter and Eugenie deNux Saucier and her daughter, Amanda Marie Burns. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, James K. Hamilton; sons: Kern Hamilton of Grand Couteau (wife Debbie), Bobby Hamilton of Bunkie (wife Denice), Danny Hamilton of Frisco, Tx (wife Donelle), Ed Hamilton of Richmond Tx (wife Debbie); daughter, Mary Jo Hamilton of Lafayette; 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Her loss is greatly felt by not only her family but the countless people whose lives she has touched and influenced. She will be greatly missed.