Robert Spencer Hampton

Robert Spencer Hampton, 25, of Greenville, passed away on Friday, June 29, 2012 after a three-month battle with melanoma. The funeral service will be conducted on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Pinewood Memorial Park.
Spencer was a graduate of East Carolina University and was a realtor with Aldridge and Southerland in Greenville. He was also the owner of Hampton Lawncare and Landscaping, a business which he began as a boy mowing lawns in his neighborhood and which was maintained during his illness by his friends.
"Against all Odds" was the motto by which Spencer lived his life. After graduating from D.H. Conley High School, where he played football and won two baseball state championships, his great hope was to play football for East Carolina University. He was repeatedly told, however, "You're not big enough or fast enough to play Division 1 Football." Spencer, with his great determination and passion, refused to accept this. After solidifying his spot on the team in his freshman year, Spencer had his motto tattooed on his right shoulder, as a reminder that he could always overcome any challenges that life might bring. During his illness, T-shirts, wristbands, and decals, all bearing the phrase "Against All Odds," began appearing throughout Greenville and across the state, as everyone who knew Spencer or of his fight joined together to support him and his family.
Lindsay and Spencer had been childhood sweethearts and were joyfully anticipating their April 21, 2012 wedding when, on March 21, 2012, they received the melanoma diagnosis. Despite this, Lindsay and Spencer decided to go forward with their marriage and celebrated the wedding of their dreams.
Spencer's brief life and his tragic death touched the hearts of thousands of people. Messages came from across the nation as word spread of his courageous battle, everyone praying for him and his family. In Spencer's three months of fighting, he touched more hearts and brought more people to God, than most people do in their whole lives. He will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife, Lindsay Styons Hampton; his parents, Sara and Bob Hampton, of Greenville and his sister Ashley Hampton Sarafino and husband, Jason, and nephew, Jayce all of Smithfield; grandmother, Mary S. Hampton of Plymouth; father-in-law, Raymie Styons; mother-in-law, Denice Styons; brother-in-law, Trey Styons; and sister-in-law, Sarah Styons all of Greenville;
The family will receive friends today from 4 – 6 p.m. at Wilkerson Funeral Home and other times at the home of his parents.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 930-B Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834.
Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.