Ernest Allen “Baney” Hampton was born on April 20, 1942, in Buffalo New York, to parents George Reed and Ruby (Peters) Hampton, who were working there in the war effort. Baney’s mother and father returned to Brush Creek where they could raise Baney and his brothers near their Hampton and Peters family. Here George and Ruby, instilled in Baney and his brothers, core family values of a strong work ethic, joy, stability and love – all which would serve them well, throughout the remainder of their lives. This stable upbringing fortified Baney’s virtues of serving God, serving his family and serving his community with honor, dependability, loyalty and kindness.
On February 15, 1962, Baney married Lovella Lee. Two children were born to Lovella and Baney, Donna Ann Hampton and Troy Allen Hampton. He was proceeded in death by his loving wife Lovella, children Donna Ann, Troy Allen and parents George Reed and Ruby Hampton.
Baney Hampton was a life-long employee of the Knox County Board of Education. He worked as the transportation director, making sure that the buses owned by the school system were operational and staffed, ready at all times to transport the county’s children to school. Although his dedication and service to the children and families of Knox County, was never in the spotlight, if it had not been for Baney’s attention to detail and his intelligent management of his staff and machinery, many a Knox County child would not have the security to know that they would have safe transport to school and back.
In Baney’s spare time there was nothing he would rather do than spend time with his family, especially his brothers. Baney was also a farmer and tinkerer of mechanics and machines. He enjoyed spending time on his land. His neighbors, family and passers-by, could often find Baney working on his land or riding on his tractor, knowing that Baney was close by, if they needed a friend to talk to or needed a helping hand.
Left behind to mourn Baney’s passing are his three brothers: Ted Hampton (Margie), Elbert Hampton (Nancy), and John Rex Hampton (Karen); his nieces and nephews: Susan Merida (Scotty), Lisa Yeager (John), Steve Hampton (Shannon), and Lori-Beth Brock ( Todd ); and his great-nieces and nephews: Johnna Rae Yeager, Dallas Yeager, Logan Hampton, Spencer Brock, Marcus Merida, Tory Canady, Olivia Smith, Chesney Hampton and Brileigh Brock and three great- great nephews Thomas, Luke and Troy Yeager. Many friends and neighbors will also miss Baney greatly.
The Hampton Family will receive friends and family for visitation, on Sunday, January 14, 2023 from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 2:00 PM at the Hopper Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Jr. Eldridge will officiate, assisted by Brother Mann Cobb. A committal service will follow in the Barbourville Cemetery.
The family has chosen as pallbearers: Logan Hampton, Dallas Yeager, Spencer Brock, Marcus Merida, Sam Watts, and Floyd Blevins. Honorary Pallbearers will be all employees of Cumberland Valley Electric, special neighbors: Gary and Theresa Harris, Johnny McVey, John Daniel McVey, Corey McVey, Tommy Peters, Kenneth Vaughn, Dallas Mills Jr., Kenneth Lay, William Stewart, Jay Hampton, Todd Brock, Scotty Merida, John Yeager, Sheriff Mike Smith and the employees and officers of the Knox County Sheriff’s Department.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ernest Allen “Baney” Hampton.
Hopper Funeral Home, established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Ernest Allen “Baney” Hampton.
