LaVerne Billingsley Hampton

She was born on March 5,1923, in Jayton, Texas to Jeff and LaVenia Billingsley. She was a member of River City Community Church in San Antonio TX. The memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday November 6, 2013 at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 I-40 East, Pastor Bob Miller officiating.

LaVerne was a true, loyal, Christian woman, and an example of the Proverbs 31 Woman to all who knew her. She was known as the “go-to-lady”, when it came to decorating and planning office parties. At home she loved to entertain, and enjoyed hosting parties. She was famous for her “Pie Parties”, sometimes making 10 pies at a time. She was a member of the Amarillo Area Toastmistress Club, played bridge, and loved sewing for her family. Her greatest loves was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought so much joy to her life.

LaVerne graduated from Floydada High School in 1940, after which she attended Amarillo Business College. With the United States engaged in WWII, LaVerne supported her country by working at the defense munitions plant in Cactus, Texas. Later, she began a long, successful career with Santa Fe Railroad as a secretary, until earning a promotion 1977 to position manager of Labor Relations. LaVerne was transferred to Chicago, becoming the first female executive for the Santa Fe Railroad. After retiring from the railroad in 1983, she entered the real estate business as a sales agent, producing more than a million dollars in sales, earning her a place in the MIllion Dollar Round Table.

LaVerne is preceded in death by her parents, Jeff and LaVenia Billingsley; her husband Joe E. Hampton; and brother, Granville Billingsley.

She is survived by her son, Robert Hampton Sr. and wife Mary of Amarillo; son John Hampton and wife Abby of Pinehurst; and daughter Jo Ann Henning and her husband, David of San Antonio. LaVerne is also survived by 5 grandchildren Robert Hampton Jr. and wife Mindi, Jason Henning and wife Allison; Lauren Johnson and husband Tyler; Stephanie Gorena and husband Joey; Bethany Scott and husband Kyle; and 9 great-grandchildren. Also surviving LaVerne is her brother Roy Billingsley and wife Mary of Albuquerque N.M., and a sister Lavelle Starkey, of Happy, along with several nieces and nephews.