MURFREESBORO – Bishop James H. Hampton was born September 2, 1925 in Northampton County to the late Aquilla and Mary Hampton, the firstborn son to this union.

He was baptized after confessing Christ and joined First Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, NC.

He was educated at the Waters Normal Training School in Winton, NC, graduating in 1942. He also attended Franklin Technical Institute.

On June 12, 1944 at the age of 19, he married Madeline Bishop, and to this union 11 children, four sons and seven daughters, were born. There are eight living children: four daughters, Helen Stanley (The Rev Milton Stanley) of Portsmouth, VA; Doris Hoggard (Vernon) of

Suffolk, VA; Shirlene Pat Lassiter (Gregory) of Murfreesboro, NC; and Rev. Denise Hardy (Randy) of Ahoskie, NC; and four sons, Alton Hampton (Dottie) of Newport News, VA; Thomas Hampton (Adrean) of Boston, MA; Rev Timothy Hampton (Gail) of Chesapeake, VA; and Anthony Myrick Hampton (Yolanda); and one son-in-law, Scott Tann.

There are deceased children: James Hampton Jr, Mary Hampton, Co-pastor Burnette Tann, and June Hampton; one deceased sister, Louise McAllister; and one deceased brother, Robert Lee Hampton.

He has one surviving brother, Matthew Hampton (Shirley), 23 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and one sister-in-law Estelle Flythe.

Bishop Hampton has worked as a self-employed farmer. He has held employment at the Hertford Lumber Company, at the Purina Feed Mill for 16 years, a truck driver for six years, at the Sunbeam Appliance Plant in Ahoskie for one year, and the Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock Company for 25 years, after which he retired.

In the year of 1966, Bishop Hampton heard the calling of God to go forth and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was later called to Solid Rock Church where he served as pastor for seven years.

Bishop Hampton became the pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church of Suffolk, VA in 1975. Through the blessings of God and his dedicated leadership, the church flourished, building a new fellowship hall, installing new pews, new windows and a new heating and air-conditioning system. Bishop Hampton served as pastor for St. Paul Baptist Church for 18 years.

While at St. Paul, Bishop Hampton was also called to First Baptist Church of Burdette in Franklin, VA in 1979. Putting his hand to the “Gospel Plow,” and with the help of almighty God, Bishop Hampton and the membership of Burdette entered a newly constructed church on August 13, 1989. Currently, the membership, with Bishop Hampton as their spiritual leader, is erecting a new fellowship hall. He has been the pastor at First Baptist Church of Burdette for 27 years.

The year of 2003, New Life Ministries Church in Ahoskie was birthed and Bishop Hampton laid hands on Pastor Denise Hardy to be released from First Baptist Church to start her ministry in Ahoskie, NC. Bishop Hampton and the late Queen Mother Madeline Hampton purchased three acres of land in 2005 where New Life Ministries Church in Ahoskie, NC is located. Bishop Hampton was 80 years old and gave his life savings for a place where everyone can always come and fellowship and be blessed.

Bishop Hampton is a man who has studied to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needed not be ashamed. He attended the Minister’s Training Workshop conducted by the late Dr. Galvin Daughtery and several Ministerial Institutes conducted by Dr. Jasper Webb in Atlanta, GA; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles, CA; and Washington, DC. The training he received in these institutes included such topics as: “Developing your own preaching style,” “How to pastor your congregation”, “The gift, art, and science of preaching”, “Building a church-community partnership”, and “What to do when trouble arises”, just to mention a few.

Bishop Hampton has served in a number of community organizations, including Scout Master of Troop 77 in Suffolk, VA; Member of the Executive Board of The Sharon Missionary Baptist Association and its Allied Bodies; Secretary of the Ministerial Alliance in Franklin, VA for 10 years; Member of the Perfect Ashley Lodge No. 64 in Winton, NC; a member and the Chaplain of The Sacrificial Club in Newport News, VA; an instructor for the class Qualifications, Responsibilities, and Duties of Church Officers at St. Paul Baptist Church; and has taught Bible Study at the Parker’s Grove Baptist Church in Mapleton, NC.

Bishop Hampton holds several certificates and degrees. They include “Certificate of Completion in the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program” endorsed by NC State Commissioner Jim Long, on February 24, 1988. Bishop Hampton received the Certificate of Attendance at the National Baptist Convention in September 1985 in Atlanta, GA. On March 16, 1985, the Deacon Board of St. Paul Baptist Church conferred upon Bishop Hampton an Honorary Doctorate Degree.

The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at First Baptist Murfreesboro, in Murfreesboro, NC. Rev. Robert Richardson will be officiating. Burial will be at New Life Ministry Church Cemetery in Ahoskie, NC.

Services of comfort are entrusted to Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, NC.