Etta Faye McLeland Hamilton, age 98, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026, with family by her side. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 1901 Lexington Ave in Monroe, LA, on Monday, February 23, 2026. Visitation will be at 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church. Reverend Eugene Bryson III of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church will be officiating the service.

Etta Faye, the daughter of Ellie Paul McLeland and George McLeland, was born on August 7, 1927, in Monroe, LA. She is survived by her children, Gayle Hamilton, John Hamilton III, Wanda Hamilton Shelton, and Elizabeth Hamilton; grandsons, Paul Kennedy (Sherri), Zachary Norris (Leandra), and Benjamin Norris; great granddaughters Isabelle Kennedy and Amara Norris; great grandson Porter Norris; sisters Georgia Nolan and Ellouise Brossett; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Hamilton Jr.; her parents, Ellie and George McLeland; sister, Sue McLeland Martin; brother, Richard McLeland; grandson, Mark Hamilton Kennedy; sister-in-law, Mary Nell Hamilton Giaroli; and son-in-law, Steve Shelton.

Etta Faye graduated from Jena High School and earned a degree in education at Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in 1947, where she met her husband of 69 years, John Hamilton. She taught high school English in Delhi, LA, and Chatham, LA. Etta Faye and John moved to San Diego where he was stationed in the United States Navy during the Korean War. They moved back to Louisiana where they made Monroe their home.

Etta Faye especially enjoyed weekends at the cabin at Lake D’Arbonne, years of family vacations at Dauphin Island, AL, and Lake City, CO. She also loved traveling with either her husband or her 3 sisters to places like Italy, London, Scotland, and San Francisco. She was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for over 70 years, where she taught Sunday school and vacation bible school and was a member of the Women’s Society of Christian Service, United Methodist Women, ladies Sunday school class, and the United Women In Faith Mary Henry Circle. Etta Faye served as the president of the women’s American Legion Auxiliary. She was a wonderful cook, especially known for her gumbo, homemade honey oatmeal bread, yeast biscuits, and plum jelly. She learned to weave in her 50’s and produced many beautiful baby’s blankets, throws, and wall hangings, one of which won 1st place at the Columbia Art Festival. She also enjoyed weaving her husband’s grapevines into baskets and wreaths and recaning chair seats. Etta Faye loved plants and could name almost any plant or wildflower native to Louisiana or Colorado.

Special thanks go to her many supportive friends from St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and the staffs at The Landmark in West Monroe and Louisiana Hospice.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (stpaulsmonroe.com) or the Methodist Children's Home of Ruston, LA.