Jeral Lee Hampton

Jeral Lee Hampton, 92, of Booneville died Monday, February 3, 2014, in a Fort Smith hospital surrounded by his family. He was born July 28, 1921. He was a 1939 graduate of Booneville High School and a 1943 graduate of Ouachita Baptist University. A veteran of both World War II and the Korean Conflict, he was retired from the National Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel. He left a legacy of dedication to many things. He worked tirelessly until the very end of his earthly life for his God, his family, his church, his alma maters, his country and the community of Booneville. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Western Bancshares, Inc. where he still came to work most every day. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Booneville for 71 years where he taught Sunday School for over 50 years, served as a Deacon for more than 60 years and was a Church Trustee. In addition, he served on the Booneville School Board for 16 years and was a member of the Ouachita Board of Trustees for 32 years. He was deeply committed to the growth and success of both Booneville and Logan County as evidenced by his involvement in so many organizations. He was serving as President of the Booneville Industrial Corporation and Petit Jean Regional Foundations as well as a Natural Resource Conservation Service District Director at the time of his death. He was Past President of the Booneville Chamber of Commerce, Booneville Rotary Club, and Soil Conservation Service as well as past board member of the Western Arkansas Planning and Development Corporation, Arkansas Housing Authority, Westark Foundation Board, and Area Agency on Aging. He was instrumental in recruiting numerous industries and jobs to Booneville and was recently honored with a street named for him. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents, John L. and Cara Hampton, and two sisters, Wanda Smith and Mary Lou Lyon. He is survived by a son, John Taylor Hampton and wife, Kelli of Rogers; a daughter, Jane and son-in-law, Jim Woolley of Booneville; four grandchildren, Ty Hampton and wife, Serenity of Rogers, Cara Conly and husband, Clay of Bentonville, Brent Woolley and wife, Coni of Booneville, and Beth Carlisle and husband, Josh of Little Rock. He is also survived by six great grandchildren, Ashlynn, Kheringtyn, Cailyn and Londyn Hampton of Rogers and Tripp and Grace Conly of Bentonville. A private family graveside service will take place on Wednesday, February 5 at 1 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Booneville for anyone who knew and loved Jeral. The family will visit with friends following the service in the Jeral L. Hampton Meeting Place across the street from the church. In lieu of flowers, please send gifts to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 382 North Kennedy, Booneville, Arkansas 72927 or The Jeral and Betty Hampton Endowed Scholarship Fund at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita Street, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71998. Jeral lived a full life determined to do all he could to glorify God through his love and actions. His family and bank family are celebrating the meaningful life he lived and the fact that he will now spend eternity with his Lord and Savior.