Visitation with limited viewing (ten or less persons at a time) will take place at the Winnfield Funeral Home, 318 North Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 Saturday, May 2, 2020 from 8:30 a. m. to 10:00 a. m.  Graveside burial service will follow at the St. Mary Baptist Church (Cane River) at 10:30 a. m. with Rev. Ardonul Brinson, Pastor, officiating.  Keep this family in your prayer as they bid a Christian farewell to the Matriarch of the family.

STEPPINGSTONES TO GLORY

The Holy Bible, the book of prescriptive living, promises a life span of three score and ten. The word contained within the Scripture formed the guidepost by which our loved one lived by on this earthly sojourn. God knew she was tired and called Hattie Mae Thomas Prudhomme home at the rightful age of ninety-seven.  She was born August 12, 1922 in Natchitoches, LA to the late Albert B. Thomas Sr. and Louise Blake Thomas. She was the tenth of twelve children which blessed this union.

Hattie, Hattie Mae, Mrs. Prudhomme, Sister Prudhomme, Mama, G.G. Hattie, as she was affectionately known, was a faithful and active member of the St Mary Baptist Church, on the Cane River, until her health declined. Her Christian discipleship led to her involvement in many of the church organizations including the Choir, Deaconess Board and the Mission Board.  Additionally, she was the organizer of MANY of the former and current programs being presented in the congregation's ministry.  She loved to sing church songs and could often be heard at her clothes line early in the morning vocalizing songs of joy.

This fiercely independent lady obtained her education during the formative years at the Natchitoches Parish Training School and was a proud member of the Graduating Class of 1943 of whom she is the last to transition from time to eternity. Her thirst to become" prepared to serve" motivated her to matriculate at what was then called Grambling College and now known as Grambling State University. There she earned a degree in Elementary Education.  This formal preparation was a fitting prelude to her lifelong profession in the field of education.  Her career resume' shows that her molding of student's lives was spread abroad to a number of schools in Natchitoches Parish.  Upon retirement, she had to credit an admirable tenure of service for more than three decade and was loved by her students both Black and White.

She was very active in her community and loved to cook and bake cakes. Each holiday she would feed the sick and shut –in of her community.  It was like unto a ministry or calling on her life.

Hattie will be united in heaven with her husband of 49 years, Joseph Lloyd Prudhomme Jr., her infant daughter, Donna Joe Prudhomme, her mother and father as well as her eleven siblings: Frank, Edgar, James, Joseph, Lester, Herdese, Kelso, Eloise, Norris, Albert Jr., and Annie B.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter Josie Prudhomme Hamilton (Mark, Sr.); two grandchildren: Markita Hamilton Small (Tyrell), and Mark Hamilton, Jr. (Taylor); two great grandchildren, Avery J. Small and Tatum J. Hamilton, all of Natchitoches.; five sisters-in-law:  Lillie Mae Thomas  of Houston, TX, Oscarine Whatley, Shawn Hayes,  Sammie Nell Coleman, and Clarggie Gray all of Natchitoches, LA;  brothers –in- law:  Klairon Coleman and Sammy Coleman of Natchitoches and Claudell Coleman of Seattle Washington.  Other survivors include: nieces, nephews, cousins and those that loved her like she was their mother.

Hattie never gave up and she always put herself last. She was honest in all ways and instilled that value in her family.  She saw the glass half full, not half empty, and she had a sharp wit; she could make you laugh when you least expected it, and she loved chocolate.

To know her was to love her! Most will remember her for that inimitable strut in her high heels and those fashionable suits topped off with hats forevermore.  Hattie didn't leave us.  She returned to God because her work down here was done; and what a job she did!