My Brother James (Hamp) Hampton

By Mabel Hampton

As a family man.....My brother at an early age (I think at the age of twelve) took a job to help support the family. He worked at various jobs to help my mother (who washed and ironed) support the two of us. He worked at the ice plant, coal mine, farm and TVA. When I was three years old our father died. I heard my mother and James say our father called James to his bedside. He said, "Son I am leaving you, departing this life. Take care of your mother, sisters and brothers." He would not allow us to talk back to Mama, and insisted that we respect her. They consulted each other for everything. In his seventies, he left advice for the family. "You're gonna be isolated, pushed aside, and talked about. People just won't love you, but if you love them, they just love you anyhow ant it'll finally come to you. Love is the best weapon you can use."

As an Educator.....He encouraged young people to stay in school and get an education. He supported education with his money and time. He bought my first set of new school books because he did not want me to use the books handed down from the white school. When I graduated from High School, I wanted to go to business college in Birmingham. Two of my classmates were going there. James said, "No, you are going to Clark College in Atlanta Georgia. You can live with a friend of mine and his wife." He traveled often to Atlanta, where he also had an office. With an elementary school education, be became a successful union negotiator, owner of a funeral home, cab stand and café. I often heard him say "I am tired of working from can to can't." This led him to organize labor unions-starting at the TVA, then on to a special labor representative in other states. At times his life was in danger. One day he came home from a meeting with a torn shirt. Mama was very upset, but you know she made me leave the room. He was an International Representative for the AFL-CIO, Black Trade Unions, Alabama State Federation of Labor, and was fired from the Chemical Workers for working with Dr. M. L. King. His there was "Bread and butter on every table...fair play for all." Congressman Andrew Young attended his appreciation dinner.

As a Person.....He was concerned about all people; he was a giver and a lender. One day a man came by to see him. When he left James said to me, "That man borrowed money from me years ago. He is sick. He has only a short time to live. He came by to pay me before he dies." James was a kind person, but would be vary frank with you. He would fuss (with a smile on his face) when he thought you were wrong. He was honest in his dealings with other. "I don't tolerate anyone calling me a liar or accusing me of stealing (this was often said to mama). I don't do either one. Those are my fighting words." Through his many hyears of travel he made money. With faith in the Lord he continued to seek better employment for others and himself. He was a member of the NAACP, Masons, Knights of Pythis, Voters League and Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was deeply involved in local civic and political affairs. His legacy from field hand to Union representative, to an ordained Minister and Pastor makes me proud. I am happy the family honors his memory witha scholarship, helping to educate others was his passion.

James Hampton Scholarship

Recipients

1988: Glynis N. Lee, Ejalu K. Smith $500

1990: Aliya Rashid, Kathaleen Cole $1,200

1992: Andrea Bunton $1,000

1994: Abdul Rashid, $700; Javonte Tubbs, $100; Antoinette Evans, $250; Jimmy Smith, $300; Michael Sims, $50 $1,400

1996: Catrice Grant $1,000

1998: Viola Hampton, $100; Sidney Calhoun, $100; Leslie Minor, $50; Pam Smith, $50; Kimberly Cole, $1,000 (Money was dispersed to family members via family game because student applications were not complete.) $,1,400

2000: Leslie Minor, $1,000; Catrice Grant, $300, Kefentse Olabisi, $300

$1,600