Mary Griffin Hampton

JUNE 11, 1919 – MARCH 10, 2016

When Everlena Malveaux married Paul Griffin in Opelousas, LA in 1910 the marriage blended a family of six. Everlena’s children, Nathan and Aida Frank, joined the Griffin children Bud, Rosie, Pearl, and Bertha. The blended family continued to grow in years to come with the chronological births of Marion, Herbert, Curley, Freddie, Mary, Mildred, Lou, David, Ernest, and Thelma.

Paul was a sharecropper and the income after paying Mr. Pete, the landowner, left very little to support the family. Paul was mindful to become a better provider so he discreetly grew crops that led to the more profitable production and sale of corn liquor which enabled the purchase of property and a home inside the city limits.

After the move from the farm older siblings began to leave home, marry, and start their own families. Marion and Herbert died at very young ages. Freddie moved to Port Arthur, TX where he joined the merchant marines. Rosie, Lou, Mildred, and David also relocated to Port Arthur, and Ernest later left for Lake Charles.

Mary married Leonce Hampton, Sr. on July 29, 1937. Daughter, Doloris, arrived after five years of marriage, and six years later Leonce, Jr. was born.

Leonce, Sr. died December, 1952, and Mary sought better economic opportunities for herself and family. A tribute to her resolve and resourcefulness, she chose to start over in Houston, TX without benefit of previous visit, reliable housing, and transportation.

She relied on public transportation to get rides to Herman Hospital, which was among her first jobs. She gained confidence in driving and went to work at NASA Clear Lake, where she maintained a conference and dining facility for astronaut trainees. Mary’s people skills led her to employment at Texas Commerce Bank where she was recognized as employee of the year and from which she retired with distinction in 1985.

Mary was a woman of great Christian faith and an active member of several congregations, the latest of which is St. Agnes March of Faith Ministries. She continuously advocated hard work and education for youth everywhere, and she was an exemplary role model of successful self-help.

In addition to son and daughter, family survivors include five grandchildren, from which an impressive family tree of great and great-great grandchildren has evolved and for whose success and welfare Mary prayed throughout her life.