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This is the story of Eddie Clay Hampton, the family patriarch. Eddie was an amazing man that was loved and will always be cherished by his family and the many people his life touched. Eddie’s story starts on March 21, 1942 in Orangeburg SC, the second of four children born to Prezzie Hampton and Dorothy Blair. At the age of five, his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland. He was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, yet his wisdom extended far above formal education. A self-taught man, Eddie mastered financial budgeting and money management. Eddie held several jobs until he found permanent employment at Balcon Inc., where he retired after twenty-eight years. While working at Sladers Grocery Store at the age of 16, Eddie met the love of his life, Alice Milburn during one of his many delivery runs. Because Eddie was a respectful and honorable young man, he asked her father if he could take her out on a date. On December 3, 1960, Eddie and Alice were joined in Holy Matrimony and their bond lasted for over 60 years. From this union, eight children were born. Eddie was the epitome of a provider and strongly believed in the family unit. He loved creating memories with his children; from taking countless photos to sitting around the table laughing about funny family stories and taking vacations. Eddie’s children loved listening to his many words of wisdom and sayings. Some of his favorite sayings were, “If a man does not work, he shall not eat,” “Don’t throw caution to the wind,” and “Reach for the moon, if you miss it catch a star on the way down!” We will forever remember these lifelong pearls of wisdom. Eddie achieved forty-six years of sobriety by faithfully attending Alcoholic Anonymous (AA). However, AA was not enough. One day, he had a “Damascus Road” experience while walking down Druid Hill Drive. Eddie encountered the Lord Jesus Christ and was converted. On that day, he also vowed to raise his children in the Christian faith. God spoke to Eddie and told him that he would be the one to change his family’s trajectory and break the cycle of poverty, dysfunctional behaviors, and alcoholism; God did just what He said! He attended Perkins Square Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend Ward D. Yerby and late Rev. Richard H. Ogle. There he established the first Alcoholic Anonymous Meeting. His servant spirit and faithfulness to the work of the ministry led him to be ordained to the office of a Deacon in 1987. Deacon Eddie kept his vow to the Lord; all eight of his children became devoted members of Perkins Square Baptist Church. In March 1991, he heard the radio broadcast of Bishop Cornelius Showell, and shortly after, he was invited to visit the church. That same day, he joined First Apostolic Faith Church and was filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus’ name. He served as Deacon and faithfully worked at the church as the facilities overseer. For more than twenty years, every morning at 6 am, he opened the doors for the saints to attend prayer and often served as a prayer leader. His love for the word of God led him to diligently study the weekly Sunday School lessons. He was an avid participant and enjoyed the Biblical discussions. As a Deacon, Eddie baptized and counseled many members of First Apostolic. Deacon Eddie C. Hampton transitioned this life on Monday, July 19, 2021 surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Prezzie Hampton and Dorothy Woods, his siblings: George (Sonny) McMichael and Robert Woods, his son, Reginald Milburn, and daughter, Michelle D. Hampton. He leaves to mourn his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Alice Hampton, one brother, Kenneth Woods, one sister, Antionette Johnson, six children, Kimberlin A. Wheatley, Vanderlyn E. Hampton, Eddie C. Hampton Jr (daughter-in-law Monique), Alice H. Smith (son-in-law Heath),Dorothy L. Hale, and Rodney E. Hampton (daughter-in-law Lisa), seventeen grandchildren, Leonard, Kelly, Loreal, Ebony, Brandon, Britany, Brianna, Che’,Tonji, Jadin, Derrick, Denia, Devin, David, Eshe’, Roman, and Rodney, six greatgrandchildren, Leonard, Aniyah, Lauryn, Braelyn, Tevon, and Brielle, special sons and daughters, Tevon, Monique, Tony Boykins, Mardi Boykins, Danielle Kelly, and Bessie K. Moore, and a host of relatives, First Apostolic saints and friend

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Eddie C. Hampton Sr.

March 21, 1942 - July 19, 2021