Joseph W. Hampton, 82, known to some as "Buddy" or "Big Chief Thunder Cloud," died peacefully at his home in Hampton, VA on Thursday, June 22, 2017 with his wife, Vernadine Hampton and his step-son, Thelonius Cook by his side. Born in Machipongo, VA on February 17, 1935, he was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1956. He later retired from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Hampton, VA after 37 years of dedicated service while simultaneously maintaining a successful flower business.

Joseph had a charitable spirit that compelled him to donate cheerfully to many charities and organizations, and also to give vegetables he grew in his home garden to anyone who knew him. He was well known throughout the community for putting smiles on people's faces, often teasing and joking with them about sports and other subjects of interest.

In addition to his loving wife of 29 years, he is survived by his children and step-children, Chenille Smith of Greensboro, NC, Kimberly Herbert of Yuma, AZ, Keisha Cook of Virginia Beach, VA, Jacqueline Beverly and Joann Winn of Denver, CO, Mereland Cook of Virginia Beach,VA, Ricky Hampton of Yuma, AZ, Yvette Anderson of Oklahoma City, OK, and Thelonius Cook of Hampton, VA; two sisters, Martha Kirkland of New York and Mary V. Giddings of Birdnest, VA; beloved nephew, Jeffrey Hampton; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

Special thank you to the staff of Sentara Hospice, especially, Dreema Potter and Sherri Ross.

A funeral service will be held 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at First Baptist Church Hampton. Interment will follow in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. Viewing will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with the family present to receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Mr. Hampton will lie in state one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to your favorite charitable organization in honor and memory of Joseph Hampton. O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.