Ella Hampton

Ella Dee Hampton, 84, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 23, 2013, after a full and remarkable life.

She was born on the family farm between Cape Girardeau and Jackson as Gladys Ella Dee Jones on Oct. 22, 1928, to the late Lester and Mae Jones, as the second of five children.

After selling her farmland, on which she was raised and lived, to Southeast Missouri State University, Ellie moved to Atlanta six years ago to be near her children and grandchildren.

She graduated from Jackson High School as the Silver Arrow Queen and homecoming queen during her senior year, before beginning her first job at the Cape Girardeau Bell Telephone Co., a predecessor to Southwestern Bell, and many mergers later, the first step of the AT&T corporate ladder.

She married Billy Gene Hampton in 1948 and together they had four children and operated Hampton's Bakery on Broadway for more than 25 years. Later she worked as a bookkeeper and antiques dealer, eventually returning to the "Baby Bell" family and retiring after 15 years of service.

Ellie was a member of Centenary Methodist Church and later the New McKendree United Methodist Church and actively contributed as usher, greeter and vacation Bible schoolteacher over the years. She enjoyed participating in the Eastern Star and the Daughters of the American Revolution organizations and was very active in Cape Girardeau and Jackson's senior centers in retirement. Her many pursuits led to lifelong friendships and cherished activities with her three grandchildren.

She is survived by a brother, Richard Jones, and sisters Norma Jean Campbell, Shirlene Smith and Judy Black. Ellie leaves behind her sons Billy Gene (Anne) Hampton of Cumming, Ga., and Matthew David (Genevieve) Hampton of Marietta, Ga.; and a daughter Melissa Dee (Ross) Hampton Perlman of Suwanee, Ga. Her three grandchildren, whom she adored, Jerry, Lori and Danny Hampton, also survive her.

Her son, Robert Keith Hampton, and her former husband, Bill, preceded Ellie in death.

An Ella Dee Celebration of Life memorial service and catered reception will be at the family's Atlanta home at 5415 Villa Springs Court, Suwanee, GA 30024 at 1 p.m. Saturday before remains placement.

Online condolences may be expressed at byarsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers or donations, Ellie requested food gifts for the fellowship of family and friends during her homegoing.