A Special Lady

Ouida Hamilton
ECRU – Catherine Ouida Bush Hamilton, better known as “Mrs. Ouida,” 91, peacefully and gracefully journeyed to be with her Lord and Savior as her grandchildren sang praises to her heavenly Father and read the scriptures that she had so often read to them. She made this journey on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, following her husband who made this journey on Nov. 20, 1969.

She was born Sept. 18, 1918, in Greenwood to Flonnie Arant and Albert Jasper Bush Sr. At an early age, she professed her faith in the Lord. She was a living legacy of faith as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She received her bachelor’s degree in math and science from “The W” and began her teaching career in Randolph, where she met her future husband, J. Brooks Hamilton, whom she later married on May 30, 1941. She taught high school mathematics at Ecru High School until her children were born, at which time she and her husband established Hamilton Manufacturing Company. After her husband’s death, she went to Mississippi State University, where she received her master’s degree in Special Education. Upon receiving her degree, she helped Margaret Woods pioneer the special education program in Pontotoc County at Beckham School for special needs children and later taught Special Education at North Pontotoc. After retiring, she stayed involved with the local school system as a volunteer while privately tutoring children and teens for many years in her home. She was known as a gifted and inspiring teacher who cared deeply for the well-being of her students and their families.

As a devoted Christ-follower and servant of her Lord, she led Pontotoc County Southern Baptists in receiving training in Christian education and the discipling of others. She spent several summers at Gulfshore Baptist Assembly in Mississippi as a youth counselor and chaperoned additional youth groups to Ridgecrest and Glorietta Baptist Conference Center in New Mexico. Known as a teacher of God’s Word, she was a cherished Sunday School teacher at Ecru Baptist Church for over 50 years and at Church Street Personal Care Home in Ecru for 13 years. In addition, she had the privilege of beginning the Bible Drills program and was also instrumental in beginning Woman’s Missionary Union work at Ecru Baptist Church.

With a love for proclaiming God's Word, she enjoyed being involved in mission work with her family throughout Mississippi, across the nation and internationally in Korea, Honduras and Belize. She was known for her generous spirit and zeal for life as she spent her days ministering to and loving others through visiting shut-ins, teaching about missions, volunteering at the local food pantry, and participating in other local ministries.
The past two and a half years, she has resided at Church Street Personal Care Home in Ecru, where Lorna and the staff tenderly and graciously cared for her.