Betty Jean Hamilton Thompson died at River Region Hospice in New Orleans Thursday, Dec. 22. She was 83 years old.

She was born to the late Joseph deVance and Nelly Hamilton on May 31, 1928, in Morgan City. She graduated from Morgan City High School in 1944, attended Southwestern in Lafayette and graduated from Soule College in New Orleans in 1948. She was employed at Patterson Seafood Company.

She married Henry Cameron Thompson on Nov. 20, 1950. They resided in Morgan City until 1967 when they brought their family to the New Orleans area.

She leaves behind her children, Jonell Thompson Lombardo, David Cameron Thompson and Elizabeth Thompson Ledet, along with her grandchildren, Cameron, Rachel and Caitlyn Lombardo and Ryan and Blake Thompson. She is survived by one brother, Thomas “Boogie” Hamilton; and preceded in death by another, Jimmy Hamilton.

Betty loved movies, popular music and television. She was keenly interested in current news and events. She enjoyed talking with everyone she encountered. The greatest joy of her later years was watching her grandchildren grow and hearing of their latest activities. Her children will greatly miss her quick sense of humor and love of laughter.

Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, at Hargrave Funeral Home in Morgan City from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by a service at the Morgan City Cemetery at noon.