Ophelia (West) Hamilton was born April 20, 1932 to Percy and  Mamie (Huntley) West, in Clarksdale, Arkansas.  She was one of nine children born to this union. 

She departed this earthly life on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Saint Anne’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana surrounded by her loving children.

She attended Central High School in Hayti, Missouri. At a young age she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized.

Ophelia was united in holy matrimony to Earl Hamilton Sr. on June 17, 1950 and to this union seven children were born.  In 1952, Opehlia and her family moved to Fort Wayne.

Ophelia joined Pilgrim Baptist Church in 1957 under the leadership of the late Rev. John Dixie Jr. and continued her faithful membership under the former leadership of Pastor Sam Shade Jr.  In 2016, she changed her membership to the St. John Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Frederick Alexander Sleet.

She was employed by Fort Wayne Community Schools for over 30 years. In June 2015, she received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities from Cornerstone Bible College. Her community service consisted of:

• President of the Larez Neighborhood Association
• Appointed by Mayor Win Moses to the Historic Preservation Review Board
• Democratic Women's Club
• Precinct Committee Woman for 18 years
• Missionary Society

Her favorite past-time consisted of enjoying family time, reading, relaxing in her garage and doing word search puzzles.  Everyone knew…...never call her during her soap operas, “The Young and The Restless” and “The Bold and The Beautiful.”

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Earl (Lynnice) Hamilton Jr., Arnetta Smith, Larry (Bernice) Hamilton, Edna (Kevin) Clancy, Garry (Rositta) Hamilton, Cheryl Parrish and Lisa (Clifford) Buttram, Jr.; one sister, Mozella Jones of St. Louis, MO, five brothers, Rev. Leroy (Dollie) West of Jacksonville, NC, Linard West, Otis West, Percy (Jean) West and Johnny West all of St. Louis, MO; step-brother, Robert Dies; step-sister, Dolise Kelly; 16 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Ophelia was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, Earl Hamilton Sr.; parents, Deacon Percy West Sr. and Mamie West; brothers, Thomas and Louis West; sister, Leonia West;  son-in-law, Lawyer B. Smith Jr. and stepmother, Lubertha West; sisters-in-law, Katie West, Effie Hamilton and Jean Hamilton; brothers-in-law, Earmis Hamilton Sr., Booker Hamilton and Walter Howard; a niece, Sarah B. (Hamilton) Douglas and a nephew, Earmis Hamilton Jr.

Mother Hamilton will be laid to rest in Highland Park Cemetery

 Service Information