Ramona Louise Pearson Hampton was born on September 8, 1927, in Emporia, Kansas. She was the youngest of four children born to Maurice L. Pearson and Blanche Pearson. The Pearson family was a Quaker family whose ancestors came to America with William Penn.
The family moved to Wichita, Kansas when Ramona was two years old. They settled in a Quaker neighborhood close to University Friends Church and Friends University. Their lives revolved around church activities.
Ramona's father, Maurice was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad. He worked in the office downtown. He was a tall handsome man and his wife Blanche always sent him to work perfectly groomed; suit starched, white shirt and tie. In 1942 when the Second World War started, Maurice was transferred to Sante Fe, New Mexico to help with the war effort. Ramona and her mother were the only ones in the family to go with him. The two older siblings were married with families and the other brother was in the Merchant Marines.
Ramona and her parents spent 3 years in Sante Fe. When the war ended her father was transferred back to Wichita. It was time to start classes at good old Friends University. There she met Charles Wayne Hampton. Six months later they were married at University Friends Church in 1946. As of 2016 they were married 70 years.
Ramona is survived by her son Charles, Jr., wife Janice and three grandchildren, Ben Hampton, Cassie Hampton, and Bethany Kuwitzky. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Wayne Hampton Sr., her parents, her sister Elsie Pearson Page, her brother Forrest Marley Pearson, and her brother Wayne Warren Pearson. In 2010 she lost her lovely daughter Christine Louise Hampton.
At age 5 Ramona began piano lessons with Haven Binford, a student at Friends University. Haven was from a Quaker family. She had long blonde hair which she wore in a braid around her head. Ramona enjoyed her musical education her entire life, playing piano and organ for various organizations. She was very proud of her long association with the Daughters of the Nile, starting in 1971 and retiring in 2014. In 1984 she served as Queen of the organization, which she considered the highlight of her life.
Ramona's husband, Charles, was always very supportive of her music. He made sure she always had good musical instruments at home, on which to play and practice. She also hosted a lady's choir at her home during her years with Daughters of the Nile. She loved them all!
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Shriner's Hospital for Children.