Martha V. (Payne) Hampson

Martha V. Hampson, 90, died of natural causes on August 8, 2020, at her sons home on Ash Creek in Sheridan, Wyoming with family present.Martha was born near Springdale, MT on November 24, 1929, the 12th of 14 children born to Harry and Anna Opal Payne. When she was 5 her family moved to Mill Creek Flat at Pray, MT and she spent most of the rest of her life living in Paradise Valley south of Livingston. She attended schools in Park County, graduating from Park County High School in 1948.Martha married Bill Hampson on December 18, 1948 and they were blessed with 3 children. In 1959 Bill and Martha began building a log home near Carters Bridge in Paradise Valley and she lived there for 60 years. Their home was the welcoming and beloved family gathering place.She worked at Nash Finch, the Park County Treasurers office and the Livingston Enterprise in her 20s. The bulk of Marthas career was at the NP Employees Federal Credit Union. She began work there under Walt Martin, the founder of the credit union and ten years later she became its president.She retired in January 1997 after nearly 37 years of dedicated service to its members saying, "I just loved that part of it. Working with the people. that was the best part of being there all that time."Martha was an expert seamstress, making clothes for herself and her family. Her skills at hand-sewing were unmatched. She crocheted afghans for all her kids, grand kids and others. They are spread widely through the family. She also made baby blankets for her grandkids and great-grandchildren. Many of her great-grandchildren still sleep and even travel with their special "great-grandma Martha blankets."Martha refurbished and refinished wood furniture, especially antiques. She loved plants, flowers, and gardening. Tomatoes, peas, and beans were her specialties, and her green thumb was amazing!Marthas favorite 3 colors? Red, red and red!Organizations she belonged to were St. Marys Catholic Church, Park County Pioneer Society, American Legion Womens Auxiliary, The Red Hat Club.Martha volunteered in the community for many years selling poppies for the disabled American Veterans. She worked the voting polls each election year and spent time on both the school board and the scholarship committee at St. Marys School and donated time at the Loaves and Fishes.Martha is preceded in death by her parents, Anna Opal and Harry Payne; husband, Bill Hampson; 2 sisters, Phyllis Childs and Opal Joyce Payne; 11 Payne brothers, Harry (Hazel), Burnie "Red" (Etta), Byrle, Robert "Lee" (Fern), J. B. "John" (Arlene), Eustace (Vera), Byron, Jim (Doris), Tom (Jackie), Clark (Irene), and Dick; brothers-in-law, Robert "Bob" Hampson, John Lopez, and Fred Childs.Martha is survived by her 3 children and 15 grandchildren; son, Daniel Hampson of Missoula, MT and his 3 children, Stacey, Nathan and Brendan (Ali); son, Greg (Judy) Hampson of Sheridan, WY and their 5 children, Bill, Jackie (Dustin), Ben (Brittney), Joe (Tiffany), and Andrea (Bobby); daughter, Lynn (George) Camp of Missoula, MT and their blended family of 7 children, Kerry, Brady, Aaron (Nancy), Emily (Chris), Sarah (Ty), Nikki, and Ryan; 19 great-grandchildren, Owen, Zeta, Emery, Thad, Denie, Olivia, Lucas, Avery, Madie, Kate, Will, John, Quinn, Sophie, Elliott, Eamonn, Rosemary, Davis and Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews; 3 sisters-in-law, Jackie Lopez, Punky Hampson and Shirley Payne.A Private Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 14 at St. Marys Catholic Church. A vigil service will be Thursday night also held privately due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There will be a graveside service at approximately 12:45 at Parkview Memorial Gardens on the East River Road. All who wish to attend the graveside service are welcome.Memorials are preferred to the St. Marys School Scholarship Fund, PO BOX 646 - Livingston, MT 59047; or to the Park Post #23 American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, PO Box 826 -Livingston, Montana 59047.Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.