Mourners remember 'happy girl'

CENTRAL HEIGHTS - The video monitor at Morrison Funeral Home showed photo after photo of Jennifer Lee Hampton, while a crowd that eventually would fill the chapel somberly filed in Thursday night.

The seemingly perpetual sweet smile of the former Waterloo resident shone in every shot, from those of her childhood, throughout her teen years and into her young adult life.

But the photos of the 21-year-old were the last ones available, cutting short what was developing to be a story of a wonderful life.

Hampton's life ended Sept. 20 in Knoxville, Tenn., at the hands of a man who officers say used his employee pass key to enter her hotel room at Days Inn and attacked her.

Valentino Vasquez Miranda, 19, an illegal immigrant, is accused of killing Hampton. He is in custody in Knoxville, charged with first-degree murder, a crime that can be punishable by death in Tennessee.

"She was a hard-working little girl," her sister, Amanda May, said after the memorial service at the funeral home. "She didn't drink, smoke or do anything like that.

"And she was always happy. She always had that smile."

Thursday was a grueling day for Hampton's family, who buried her in a private ceremony in the morning. Visitation was Thursday evening, followed by the memorial service that drew family, friends and old classmates of the former Waterloo High School homecoming queen.

May was able to smile through tears for a moment when she recalled her sister being a "text-message queen" who loved keeping in contact with others. She said Hampton would have had a bright future.

"Most kids who are 21 these days are out partying, but not her," May said. "She was a very good, good girl."

"She always had a smile on her face," said family friend Debbie Guyton, who said Hampton was like a daughter to her.

"She was so happy," Guyton said. "She had her whole life ahead of her. You never saw her with a sad face."

For her loved ones, the photos and memories of Hampton, and of her smile, are both soothing and gut-wrenching.

The Rev. Tim Smith was the pastor at Hampton's church, First Freewill Baptist Church, when she was growing up. He told the congregation Thursday night that it's natural to be saddened.

"When we're faced with something like this, we don't know what to think. We don't know what to feel," Smith said. "We just know that it hurts so bad."

But Smith promised them the feeling wouldn't be permanent.

"There's going to be a day when you'll think about Jennifer and you'll smile again," Smith said. "And you'll be able to say, 'Thank you, God. Thank you for allowing her to be a part of my life.' "

He described Hampton as "a young lady who was loved, a young lady who was looking forward to the future, a young lady who was working hard to be all that she could be."

Hampton was last seen on the night of Sept. 19. She was in Knoxville with several co-workers from Mama Blue's restaurant in Florence to help train workers for the opening of a Knoxville store.

Her family went to Knoxville when they learned of her disappearance, and remained there until arrangements were made to return Hampton's body to the Shoals.

Family members say they have been deeply touched by the concern of residents from the Shoals and Knoxville.

"I want to thank all the people in Florence who have given us their prayers and support, as well as those in Knoxville," her stepfather, Tim Senn, said Thursday afternoon.

The family's attorney, Eddie Daniel, has served as a spokesman for them during the ordeal.

"The family is very upset, and they're very tired," he said. "They're also very thankful for all the support the community has supplied. It has been a comfort to them."

Daniel said the family plans to do all it can to assure Hampton's killer is prosecuted. They plan to be in Knoxville on Oct. 10 for Miranda's preliminary hearing.

Knoxville police say Miranda is accused of strangling Hampton. Miranda had been a suspect since Sept. 20, and was kept in custody throughout that time on a forgery charge relating to a bogus Social Security card. Authorities are investigating whether another man, also an illegal immigrant, is involved in Hampton's death, as well.

A bond of $1 million was issued Wednesday for Miranda.

Police say Miranda's wife found bloody clothes that her husband was wearing during the early morning hours of Sept. 20. She turned the evidence over to police. In addition, the investigation has revealed that it was Miranda's pass card that was used to enter Hampton's room that morning.

Hampton's body was found Sept. 27 in Melton Hill Lake, less than 10 miles from the Days Inn.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@TimesDaily.com.