Velma "Dusty" Hampton

Velma Floye Davis was born at home between Pampa and Groom on June 16, 1927 to John R. and Julia Kuykendall Davis, just before twin sister Thelma Joye. The twins were nicknamed Rusty and Dusty; Rusty didn't stick but Dusty did. Thus began a lifetime of being Velma in the Texas Panhandle and Dusty everywhere else. She exited on March 2, 2011 in Austin.

Velma was the oldest of seven, part of a large farming clan. For 8th grade, her family moved into town and she graduated from Pampa High in 1944. After WWII, a cocky B-17 pilot romanced her for a year before marrying her June 1, 1947, thus beginning a 51-year marriage to Howard T. Hampton. They headed to Texas Tech and she worked for Stanolind Oil. Following her geologist husband through several oil towns - Odessa, Ardmore and Dallas - they moved to New Orleans in 1956.

With two young sons, Dusty became a constant volunteer at their school, so much so that the principal of a new school asked her to fill the new paid position of secretary. When her youngest began school, Dusty also began at Rudolph Matas Elementary, where she kept the office running smoothly for 25 years and was known as Miss Dusty to hundreds of Metairie kids. HT and Dusty adopted New Orleans and loved living there for 36 years. Their Laux Manor cul-de-sac was more than a neighborhood; it was like family. Dusty was one of the coolest moms and a gracious host, making their home open and inviting to everyone.

In 1992, Dusty and HT returned to Texas, moving to Austin. Once again she became a school volunteer – this time at her grandson’s Cunningham Elementary. She also discovered her inner artist and cherished Wednesday’s, painting with her art buddies. After HT died in 1998, Dusty kept her zest for life, sharing it with her Dachshund Aimy.

In another era, Dusty would have been a professional writer; instead she wrote dozens of wonderful stories, letters and emails – her unpublished legacy. She loved music, politics, computers and the Internet, the stock market, road trips, a good party and most of all cooking. She was known for a sophisticated style yet believed it was the simple things in life that mattered most - love, wonder, roots and wings. Dusty adored her three sons and embraced their spouses when they married – Dan and Susan (Austin, TX), Ted and Kay, and Ben and Mary Pat (all of Lafayette, LA). She was always interested in their lives and was their biggest cheerleader. She relished her role as Mama’ and was the ultimate grandmother to Drake Hampton in Austin and Molly Hampton in Lafayette and welcomed step-grandchildren Ginger Thorpe, Toby Hensley and Vincent Sauter.

Dusty also is survived by her two dear brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry and Janie Davis (Amarillo, TX), Derrel and Judy Davis, and LaHoma Davis (all of Pampa), her Hampton sisters-in-law who were like sisters, Rosemary Tinsley (Colorado Springs, CO) and Frances Mapes (Dallas, TX), reunited son and wife, Charles and Frances Hansen, and numerous nieces and nephews including Anita and Jim Mapes (Lakeway, TX). Twin Thelma Kyle, sister Clara Barron and brothers Dale Davis and Rodney Davis all predeceased her.

Family and friends will celebrate Dusty's life with a gumbo gathering at Mayfield Cottage in Austin on Friday, March 25 at 4:00 PM. Dusty supported Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin 78759 or others' chosen charities. Dusty’s big smile and generous heart left an indelible impression on all who met her. She loved deeply and was dearly loved in return.