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James Vernell Hamilton, age 89, and a resident of Franklinton passed away Monday night Nov. 21, 2022 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home. He was retired from Avondale Shipyards and also worked for many years at the bag factory of Crown Zellerbach. James was a true “jack-of all-trades” as he could do any handy-man job, mechanical or electrical work. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy stationed on the U.S.S. Buck during the Korean War. He was a longtime active member of Lawrence Creek Missionary Baptist Church that loved the Lord and was always very strong in his faith. James served his church family as a Sunday School teacher, church clerk and choir director, as he had a great love for gospel music throughout his life. He enjoyed farming his property with beef cattle after having a dairy farm in the years prior. James was forever a loving husband, father and grandfather that cherished the time spent with his family and grandchildren.

James is survived by his wife of 70 years Lillie Merle Rogers Hamilton; children and spouses Gary Vernell Hamilton and Janice Hamilton of Gretna, La. and Valerie Ann Hamilton Penton (Kelson) of Franklinton; grandchildren and spouses: Christopher and Tia Hamilton, Ryan and Aimee Hamilton, Michelle and Mark Gunnell, Elizabeth Hamilton, Johnathan Watson, Morgan and Hannah Penton, Josh and Brittany Penton and Shelley and Dustin Stringer; great-grandchildren Ethan Hamilton,

Sophia Hamilton, Remi Hamilton, Brodie Hamilton, Winter Hamilton, Caitlin Gunnell, Cooper Gunnell, Caroline Hamilton, Jacob Watson, Sam Penton, Will Penton, Brayden Stringer, Jackson Stringer, Cooper Penton and Clair Penton; great-great-grandchild Clara Jane Wedig; brother and sister-in-law Rondell and Sybil Hamilton; sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law Billie Beth Cahill, Willie Mae McElveen and Ladonics and Kerry Sharp; also numerous beloved Nieces, Nephews, cousins and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents Eld. G.V. Hamilton and Velma Wade Hamilton, brothers Donald Hamilton, Wendall Hamilton, sister Jenny Pearl Hamilton, sister and brother in law Lavada and Mickey Mixon, brothers in law Ronald Cahill and Monroe McElveen.

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home on Sunday Nov. 27 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation will continue Monday at Lawrence Creek Missionary Baptist Church (28608 James Creel Road, Franklinton, LA 70438) from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at noon with Eld. Duane Ball, Eld. Don Jacobs and Eld. Mark Hobgood officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Magee Cemetery at Lawrence Creek.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to Lawrence Creek Baptist Church at the address above.

Pallbearers: Christopher Hamilton, Ryan Hamilton, Johnathan Watson, Morgan Penton, Josh Penton, Cooper Gunnell and Jacob Watson.

Honorary Pallbearers are Linus Magee, Jack Whaley, R.B. Tullos, John Elmer Breland, Alvin Ingram and his great-grandchildren.

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