Ima Jean Hampton (Jean), 90, of Chattanooga, TN, made it through the gates of Heaven to be with her Lord and Savior on November 28, 2022 at approximately 4 AM in the comfort of her home surrounded by loved ones. She is now joined with her husband, Ben Hampton, mother Lois Brindle, father Boyd Brindle, siblings Ophelia Davis, L.N. Brindle, Jack Brindle and Mack Brindle, and daughter Katie Hampton, who all preceded her in death.

She is survived by her beloved daughter, Patsy (David) Mathews; grandchildren, Mandy (Sean) Johnson, Lisa (Wade) Hampton Port, Hunter Hampton, Ben Vaughn and Bailey Vaughn; and great-grandchildren, Maxwell Johnson, Lucas Johnson, Eva Rose Port, Anneli Hampton, Aya Hampton, Lily Hampton and Penny Hampton.

Jean (or Meme as she was fondly known), was a pillar of strength and resilience that cherished her Savior and lovingly supported her family and friends. Jean grew up in Dalton, Georgia within a simple family of the cotton mill industry. She survived this difficult lifestyle during the Great Depression via the willfulness that God granted her, which in turn allowed her to appreciate life and all its simple pleasures.

Jean met her husband at a local square dance, and they were married for 32 years. They shared a love of nature, and she had a particular way of noticing and displaying the treasures they gathered on their adventures that brought out the beauty of each rock, fossil, feather, or other natural object perfectly. She knew not only the names of each type of rock, plant, tree, and creature, but also noticed specific animals who visited her property, such as the bluebird family, the goldfinch couple, or the rabbit in the garden bed. She was an observer of life and a vibrant participant.

Jean was also the driving force and influence that encouraged Ben Hampton to share his natural talent of painting the beautiful gifts of nature and simpler times. She was the one who prepared his painting pallets by scooping the oil paints from old mason jars and placing them just so in the perfect order. She embodied the old adage, "Behind every great man is a great woman" and because of her, we have many more paintings of Ben's to admire and enjoy.

Meme devoted herself to Christ and deeply cared for her family because that's what she naturally loved to do. She found such joy in toting her grandchildren to and from school and practices, indulging her great grandchildren in their imaginations, singing songs, playing games, and making jokes. She excelled in gardening (she had an incomparable green thumb) and was self-admittedly an outstanding cook. She easily proclaimed her food was the best, and it was true! Her ham, dressing, and pies were always at the center of any family celebration. She had a sharp mind that could remember recipes to the tablespoon, even in her last days, and could recall details of her life's events with ease. She also enjoyed giving instructions on how to do most anything expertly. She taught us through example how to honor Christ's love for us by confidently and joyfully sharing our gifts and expressing who God created us to be.

Jean also applied her attention to detail in her appreciation of great music and stellar athletics. She loved listening to Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and enthusiastically cheered on the Lady Vols basketball team, the Braves, and the University of Tennessee's football team.

Jean had a zest for life and fought to stay here on earth as long as she could, but she ultimately surrendered to God's divine plan to take her home with him. Her strength, independence, humor, and love will be carried on for generations through the people she touched here on Earth, and she will live on forever in Heaven where we will meet each other once again in perfect peace, love, and harmony. We love you, Meme. There will never be another one quite like you. You were simply the best.

A Graveside service will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 1:00pm at Lakewood Memory Gardens South, 325 Greens Lake Rd., Rossville, GA 30741

Arrangements are entrusted to Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Service 4506 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343. 423.531.3975.