Kay Hampton
August 29, 1938 ~ January 18, 2026
Born in:
Lincoln, Kansas
Resided in:
Linden, Texas
Karen Kay Heinze-Hampton was born in Lincoln, Lincoln County, Kansas, on August 29, 1938, and was baptized on September 11, 1938, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lincoln County, Kansas. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 6, 1952, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Sylvan Grove, Kansas, by Rev. Edwin Peter.
On October 18, 1959, Kay was united in marriage to Robert Earl (Bob) Hampton of Linden, Texas, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Sylvan Grove, Kansas. To this union, two sons were born, Brian Robert Hampton and Christopher Wade Hampton.
Kay completed grade school at Bethlehem Lutheran School in Sylvan Grove in 1952, graduated from Sylvan Grove High School in 1956, and attended Brown-Mackie School of Business in Salina, Kansas, in 1957. Her secretarial career began at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. She later worked for Wilson and Company, Engineers and Architects, in Salina, Kansas; Burgwin & Martin, Engineers and Architects, in Topeka, Kansas; and concluded her career in the school systems of Linden and Atlanta, Texas, retiring in 2005.
Kay was a charter member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atlanta (Cass County), Texas, where her love of music flourished. She served faithfully as church pianist for more than 30 years and also as church secretary.
Kay enjoyed crocheting, allowing yarn to become her “palette” as she created many beautiful items. In later years, this passion was expressed through “Threads of Love,” where she crocheted baby layettes for charity hospitals.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Robert (Bob) Hampton; her parents, Andrew and Marie Heinze of Sylvan Grove, Kansas; three brothers, Richard Heinze and his wife, Betty; Leonard Heinze and his wife, Lillian, of Lincoln, Kansas; and Harlan Heinze and his wife, Lois, of Sylvan Grove, Kansas; one sister, Doris Janne and her husband, Kenneth, of Wichita, Kansas; one niece, Linda Shores of Haven, Kansas; one great-niece, Haley Peters of Bazaar, Kansas; three nephews, Douglas Heinze and Robert Heinze of Lincoln, Kansas, and Richard Janne of Wichita, Kansas; and a niece, Debra Heinze Minear of Lincoln, Kansas.
She is survived by her son, Brian Robert Hampton; grandsons, Levi and Cody Hampton, all of Round Rock, Texas; her son and daughter-in-law, Christopher Wade and Jennifer Hampton of Hallsville, Texas; her special friend, Rev. Larry Stier; and many other relatives and friends.
Kay will be remembered as a good person with a great sense of humor and a deep love for family and friends as she goes to be with her dear Lord and Savior.
“Bring Back the Glory”
Services
Visitation: January 22, 2026 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Reeder-Davis Funeral Home - Linden
202 N. Main
Linden, Texas 75563
(903) 756-5211
https://www.reeder-davis.com





Prayers for my cousins and their families 🙏🏻
Greg & Kathy Heinze, Salina, Kansas
Godspeed, Aunt Karen from the oldest rooster of your flock. Condolences to our cousins and their families.
So sorry for your loss..she was a good friend
She was a wonderful lady.
Condolences.
Auntie Karen, you have left a wonderful legacy for your family. We were watching and striving to be like you as you stayed true to your faith, loved your family well, served your church – music and office, worked with school children. You were our favorite aunt, as we snooped through your magazines at Grandpa and Grandma’s house, played dress-up in your clothes, danced to old 45’s, learned Heart&Soul on the piano. When you sent us our very own Japanese dolls, we were in awe! Then came the fun of documenting photos and stories of “Growing Up Heinze.” Our love and sympathy to all your family as we wait to be reunited, when we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Ps.23
We met Kay in January of 1985 when we moved to Atlanta. Since we were from the Midwest, we had trouble finding our place in Northeast Texas. Kay stepped in and took us under her wing. She was such a Blessing to us! Although it has been 40 years, I have continued to hope we would have a chance to see each other again. Now, I will look forward to our reunion in Heaven. To God Be The Glory!