Courtesy photo. A service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday for Pearl Hampton of New Smyrna Beach, Florida's oldest person at 111.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A celebration of the life will be held Saturday for New Smyrna Beach resident Pearl Hampton at the Allen Chapel AME Church. She passed away May 15, at the age of 111.
The 10 a.m. service at the church, 3444 Sheldon St., will be officiated by Pastor Michael Price. She was a church member. Hampton, the oldest living resident in the state of Florida at the time of her death, is on the Gerontology Research Group list of Validated Supercentenarian with ages from 110 to 115 worldwide (web address www.grg.-.org./Adams/E.HTM).
Hampton was born Oct. 14, 1897, in Green Cove Springs to Joseph and Laura Green. She was educated in the Putnam County School System. She relocated to New York City at an early age and worked at an all girls' school for a number of years.
She moved to Philadelphia, and married Samuel Hampton on July 1, 1933. He passed away June 19, 1985. Pearl Hampton retired from Penn Central Station and Sheraton Hotel downtown Philadelphia in 1973. After the death of her husband, she moved to New Smyrna Beach in 1986 and was active in Gorman Court Apartments sewing circle and other arts and crafts programs. She later became a resident of Ocean View Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
On Oct. 14, 2007, her 110th birthday was proclaimed "Pearl Hampton Day" by then-Mayor James Vandergrift and the City of New Smyrna Beach. She was honored by the City and Ocean View Rehabilitation Center with a gala celebration. Willard Scott also announced her birthday on the NBC Today Show.
She was one of the participants in Boston University Medical Center, Genetics of Longevity Research under the New England Centenarian Study.
The church issued a statement saying she was very inspiring and touched the lives of many in a special way. She was a lover of people and will be missed greatly by her family and many friends.
Survivors include, three great-nieces: Evelyn Jenkins, New Smyrna Beach, Pearl Graham (Nathaniel), Edgewater, Daisy Jones (Broadus); one great-nephew, Douglas O'Hara, Tampa; eight great-great nephews: Dr. Earnest Johnson (Mattie), Raleigh, NC, Elder Earl Jones (Cathleen), Deltona, Dennis Johnson, Daytona Beach, Arthur Johnson (Deborah), Edgewater, Mitchell Henderson (Kim), Daniel Henderson, both of Greenville, SC, Brian Jones, Orlando, Chester Henderson (Orchid), Greer, SC; nine great-great nieces: Norma Lawson (John), Karen Allen, both of New Smyrna Beach, Latanya Jackson (William), Olympia, WA, Crystal Martin (Otis), Sabrina Hill, Thelma Jackson (Marcus), all of Greenville, SC, Lillie Johnson, Tampa, Wanda Tarrent, Holly Hill, Eva Phillips, Daytona Beach; additional great-great-great nieces, nephews and cousins; foster daughter, Flossie Miles, Willingboro, NJ; foster grandson, Richard Frazier (Barbara), Palm Coast, many friends including very special people at Ocean View Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, administration, staff, volunteers and residents.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels (NSB), 160 N. Beach Street, Daytona Beach, FL.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.rjgainousfuneralhome.com. Gainous-Wynn Funeral Home, 570 Washington St., New Smyrna Beach, (386) 428-5751.