EMILY DORETHA HAMPTON

Emily Doretha Hampton, who was affectionally known as “Sweety” was born and blessed this world on January 9, 1940, in St. Francisville, Louisiana (West Feliciana parish). She was the oldest of three children: Emily, Berrel, and Robert born to the union of Henry Eames Jr. and Mary Leona Bowman.

The family moved from St. Francisville to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where her father (who was a carpenter) built their family home. Emily was raised and attended school in Baton Rouge. This is also where she met her future husband LeeDell Hampton who was affectionately known as “Sargent Hamp.” After a long courtship and Emily’s father’s approval he asked for her hand in marriage. She married LeeDell and from that union four children were born: LaDerer, Gilda, Ganell also known as “Rosie,” and Mary Elizabeth.

Emily and Sargent Hamp traveled across the US and the world before residing in Germany for two years until they decided to make the US their home. While in the states her husband Sargent Hamp was called on a second duty to Germany where he succumbed to a heart attack leaving Emily with four children to raise on her own. Despite the loss of her husband Emily was a tenacious and strong-willed woman who was determined to go on with God’s grace and mercy.

Emily always loved a challenge even in the professions she chose which included a test machine operator for the Havens Sea Water Conversion Lab, a Bobcat Machine Operator for a construction company here in San Diego. When they found out she was a woman operator the project was shut down due to a man who felt women shouldn’t be doing that type of work. That didn’t deter Emily as she took off her hard hat to show her beautiful hair to say, “That’s right, I am a woman and there’s nothing you can do about it.

God led Emily to her true calling as a mortician beautician with the Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary through the mentorship of founder and owner Mr. Hartwell Ragsdale. It was there that she became very well know for her beautiful and meticulous work with the families she blessed when their loved ones passed away. Soon, she was requested to serve numerous families of San Diego throughout her career. She was a pioneer in her industry. Emily treated everyone as family. She was a bright light in the many lives she touched and that included everyone she worked with over the 20 plus years at Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary.

Emily eventually settled in San Diego, California along with her children where God Called her to join the Mt. Erie Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. Walter G. Wells. She served on the Usher Board and Pastor’s Aide Committee.

On December 28, 2022, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. God called Emily one last time to come home, put on her wings, and take her place in Heaven. Now that her work here on earth is complete, she leaves to cherish her memories 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, a loving sister, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives, friends and the Mt. Erie Baptist Church family.

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