Annie Mabel Hampton
April 8, 1925 - October 23, 2010
Obituary
To know Annie Mabel Hampton was to know an irrepressible spirit. A small woman with a big spirit and an even bigger smile, she loved God, her family and her friends.
Annie Mabel Hampton was born on April 8, 1925, in Sheffield, Alabama. She was the 9th of 10 children of Percy and Matilda Hampton. She was baptized at First Baptist Church, Sheffield. Through the encouragement of her brother James, Mabel attended Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia. As one of the many African Americans who moved along the uncharted paths now called the Great Migration, Mabel moved to Seattle in 1950 to join her sisters, Ossie and Hattie. She united with Mount Zion Baptist Church in that same year where she was active in the Women’s Ministry, Vacation Bible School, Pre-School and the Senior Ministry. She worked at the Eastside YWCA and provided domestic services. Mabel began her career as a teacher with Seattle Public Schools Head Start Program in 1965. She began as a classroom aide and based on her love of students and demonstrated skills soon became a head teacher. During that time she attended Seattle University and received the Bachelor of Education degree. She retired in 1990 but continued to work as a substitute teacher for several years following her retirement. Mabel was well-loved by her students. Never a driver, Mabel walked and rode the bus and was frequently stopped by her former students for a hug. Mabel was an active church member attending Sunday services, Sunday school, prayer services, womens circle and other meetings regularly until very recently when her health would no longer allow her to attend. Church services were a highlight of Mabels week; she rocked with the music of the choirs and cherished the preached word. Mabel loved books and maintained a large collection of books and Bibles. To enhance her understanding of the Word, she attended the Bible Study Fellowship.
Mabel loved adventure and traveled frequently with family and friends. Family visits were especially important to her. She spent time with her son and daughter in Michigan and Georgia and attended every biennial Cole-Hampton-Lee family reunion except the last. She took great pleasure in seeing her family gather together.
Mabel was an activist at heart and delighted in the ways that people could come together to support community. She participated in several civic organizations including the National Council of Negro Women, Altrusa, International and Seattle Central Community Chapter of AARP.
Those left to celebrate her life and mourn her passing are her son, Ellery Wade Hill and daughter-in-law Glenda Hill of Stone Mountain, Georgia; daughter, Arita Sims Damroze and son-in-law David Damroze of Seattle; sister Theressa Lucille Hampton of Detroit; brother John T. Hampton and sister-in-law Sabina Hampton of Cherokee, Alabama; brother Calvin L. Hampton and sister-in-law Viola O. Hampton of Kent, Washington; grandchildren Michael A. Sims, Jr., Makiri Olabisi, Kefentse Olabisi, Tendai K. Hill and Veronte Ellison; step-grandchildren Fred Reeves and Frelynda Reeves, step-great grandson Akil Barnes, coming in December, great granddaughter Nailah M James; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins, her close friend Daisy Dawson of Seattle, her students, the members of the organizations of which she was a member, and the many people touched by the warmth of her smile.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Union Gospel Mission – www.uga.org
Dear Arita,
On behave of myself, my brothers Whitfield Daley, Peter Daley and sister Tracy Daley Harris,family of Naomi Hampton Franklinplease accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of you dear mother.
Pamelia Mitchner
To my family-
We will miss Aunt Mabel dearly. I am truly sorry that we are not able to be with you in Seattle at this time, but we are with all of you in thought.
may your memories be your source of healing. our thoughts are with you. love you.
I will always remember Cousin Mabel as I first met her as a child. To me, she was a sweet person without guile. Interactions with her were always peaceful and without worry. I am grateful to God for having her in my life and my family
Dear Arita and Family,
May it help you to know that you are being thought of with sympathy and love at this time. We all miss your Mother.
Deacons Al & Dorothy Mungin
Much love and many blessings to you, Arita, and all others who loved your mother.
From the South to the North, Annie Mable touched the lives of many. Affectionately known as Aunt Mable to me, I am missing you.To my cousins Arita and Wade, Psalm 23:4.To the Hampton Family, friends and loved ones, be encouraged. Daughter of Calvin L. Hampton, Mable’s Baby Brother.
We all knew her as Mabel. Whenever I saw her, I automatically thought about my grandma, Sadelle Hampton Watkins, because the Hamptons all favor each other so. Just seeing Mabel provided me with a sense of comfort and strength because of the history and legacy she embodied and wore with grace. I will miss seeing her. I’m glad there’s another angel who knows me and I her. God Bless, Much Love, Vicki A. Barker
She will be truly missed she was a small woman with a Giantic spirit my heart and prayers go out to you stay blessed family!!!
Arita and Ellery, may the Lord bless you with His peace that surpasses all understanding in the loss of your mom. I remember her as being very vibrant. Love you dearly. Your cousin, Mary Lee
She will be missed. My prayers are with all the family.
Love,
Connie