Ben Edwin Hampton Sr.

1928 - 2016

Died Sept. 26, 2016

Dr. Ben Edwin Hampton Sr. died Sept. 26, 2016.

A celebration of life service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville. In keeping with his wishes he once stated, "This way, you can work my service around the convenience of anyone who might want to come."

The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Dr. Hampton was born in Athens, Ga., in 1928 to Von Griffith Hampton Sr. and Zillah Belle Rainwater. He graduated from Gordon Military Academy in Barnesville, Ga., in 1947 where he met his future wife, Betty Joan Smith. They married Aug. 14, 1949, two weeks before he entered Emory Dental School. They moved to Gainesville, Ga., in 1952 where he enjoyed a successful private practice in general dentistry.

Ben was a devoted father to his three children, Ben Jr., BeBe Elizabeth Hampton Harris and Mark Hampton. He traveled extensively with Betty, his wife of 67 years, including but not limited to France, Great Britain, South America, Australia, the Caribbean and Asia, as well as taking the family on many trips.

He was an active member of the community, including a longtime member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), Rotary Club, First United Methodist Church, Open Door Sunday school class, and taught Sunday school for many years. He was also past president of the Brenau BULLI program. Ben was a charter member of the Chattahoochee Country Club and a member of the Elks Lodge.

Since 1952, Ben had been an active member of the dental community, including the Hall County, Northern District, Hinman Dental Society and National Dental Society. Ben was a past president of the Georgia Academy of Dental Practice. He was the first dentist in north Georgia to perform dental implants. He was inducted into the International College of Dentistry in 1989.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; and their children, Ben E. Hampton Jr., Atlanta, BeBe Elizabeth Hampton Harris and husband, Rich Harris, Marietta, Ga., Mark Smith Hampton and wife, Deborah Sawyer, Dallas, Texas; and grandchildren, Christopher Hampton Harris, Marietta, Ga., Chloe Anne Hampton, Allyson Beatrice Hampton, and Elizabeth Sawyer Hampton, Dallas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First United Methodist Church, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506; Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501; or BULLI at Brenau University, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Condolences can be made at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, Gainesville