Vanear "Wayne" Hampton

Wayne Hampton was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina on December 28,1939 to the late Lance Hampton and Ersley Harris Hampton. He grew up in the community of Blue Creek (Eden, North Carolina), and graduated from Douglass High School in 1957.  He matriculated to Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961.

Wayne served his country in the United States Air Force and served 8 year; several of those years as a Navigator.  He achieved the rank of Captain prior to his honorable discharge in 1970.  While in the Air Force, Wayne married Anna Artis and they were blessed with two children, Dwayne and Geri.  They raised a family and lived in Texas, California and Nebraska.  They later settled back in Charlotte, North Carolina and were married 58 years in March.

Wayne was an educator and taught Middle School Science at Kennedy Junior High and Piedmont Open Middle School.  He was known as the “Rocket Man” at Piedmont because of the Rocketry Club he led that allowed students to build and launch model rockets.  He was a beloved teacher and one of his former students described him as “a legend among teachers and amazing human beings”.  Wayne retired from teaching after 22 years in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system.

Wayne accepted Christ into his life at an early age.  He was a longtime faithful member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Wayne was known for being a kind, caring and wise man.  He enjoyed many hobbies to include travel, yoga, coin-collecting, Sudoku puzzles and reading and utilizing financial/investment materials.  Those closest to him also know that he had a wonderful sense of humor.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dwayne Sherman Hampton; his brothers, Reverend Dr. Dennis Mitchell Hampton and Sherman Hampton; and his sister Cornelia Brodie.

He leaves to celebrate the memory of his life, his beloved wife Anna Hampton; his daughter, Geri Hampton Massey (Marvin); his grandchildren, Sydney Jackson and Marquenta Hampton; in-laws, Florence Hampton and Sam Brodie; and a host of special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to the CW Kerry Scholarship Fund at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. This will help fund educational needs for a deserving student.