Willene Lindley Hampton, age 100, passed away peacefully Feb. 1, 2020, at her home in Lenexa, KS. She was born Sept. 28, 1919, in Cross County, AR, and was the oldest of three daughters of Jim and Effie Lee Lindley. She was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband of 64 years Thomas Darnell “T.D.” Hampton, her youngest sister Betty Lou Lindley Woods, Hazen, AR, her devoted friend Gene Kunzler, Olathe, and step grandchild, Craig Majors, of Olathe. She is survived by her two children, Carol Lindley Hampton (Robert W. Downs, Jr), Richmond VA, and David Marcus Hampton (Brenda Sue), Olathe; two granddaughters, Lindley Harding Stakem (Trip), Charlottesville, VA, and Lauren Hampton Zych (Jeff), Centennial, CO; her sister Bonnie Jean Lindley Stokes, La Mesa, CA; two great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Willene graduated from Wynne High School, 1935, obtained her teachers license in 1936, and taught at the New Hope Elementary School, grades 1 – 8, Harris Chapel, Cross County. She moved to Wynne, where she met T.D. They married 1/18/1942 in Champaign-Urbana, Il, where he was stationed before being sent to England with WWII service in the US Army. Willene graduated from Illini Beauty School in 1942, returned to Wynne and attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. In 1957, she and T.D. bought and operated the Colonial Motel in Morrilton, AR, and established the Colonial Restaurant. In retirement, Willene attended Arkansas State Teachers College, Conway, 1973-75, and moved with T.D. to Olathe in 1995.
Throughout her life, Willene was a devoted mother, wife, and friend to many. She was a civic leader, a teacher in her church and generously volunteered her time and resources to countless people and organizations over the years.
A celebration of Willene’s life service will be held Mon. Feb. 24, 10:30 AM at Grace United Methodist Church, Olathe, KS. Memorials may be sent to Grace UMC, 11485 S. Ridgeview Rd., Olathe KS 66061.
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