Veronica Dampier's Obituary
Veronica Viola Dampier was born on January 18, 1930 in New Hebron, Mississippi to the late Willie Buckley and Alberta Walker Buckley. She was the last surviving member of the family consisting of three daughters and five sons: (daughters) Iola, Veronica Viola, Willie Mae; (sons) A.D., R.D., P.J., Augustus, and Frank.
At an early age, she accepted Christ and was baptized at Oak Ridge Baptist Church in New Hebron, Mississippi. She became an avid bible reader and developed a devoted prayer life. Throughout her life, she demonstrated her faith by her active involvement in the church. Her church memberships included First Baptist Church in Monticello, Mississippi, New Hope Baptist Church on Watkins Drive in Jackson, Mississippi, where she served as a member of the Deaconess Ministry, and Anderson United Methodist Church of Jackson, where she founded the Prayer Ministry and served as a Sunday School Teacher and as a member of the Food Pantry Ministry.
As a child, Veronica loved to "dress up" and imitate her second grade teacher, who inspired her to become a teacher. This instructor was instrumental in influencing how Veronica viewed herself and the world. As she moved forward toward her goals and aspirations, achieving excellence in education and maintaining high standards in personal style would become hallmarks in her life.
Veronica attended public schools in Simpson County and received her high school diploma from Prentiss Institute, where she was an outstanding student and cheerleader. She always exhibited poise, charm, confidence, excellent speaking ability, and academic discipline.
As the first in her family to attend college, Veronica continued her education at Jackson State College (now Jackson State University) and earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education. She also completed graduate courses in library science at Indiana University. She received certification as a gifted and talented teacher from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her teaching career impacted students throughout Mississippi: Smith County Schools, Miller Elementary School in Silver Creek, McCullough High School in Monticello, Topeka-Tilton Elementary in Lawrence County, McLaurin High School in Magee, Hinds County Agricultural High School in Utica, Raymond High School, and Jackson Public Schools. After retirement, she taught at New Hope Christian School in Jackson.
It was at Prentiss Institute where Veronica met her future husband, Arthur Dampier, a basketball and football star, and a campus leader. After high school, she and Arthur were married, and to this union they were blessed with three children, Patricia, Alfredia, and Arthur Reginald. They were married for 46 years, until his death in February 1995.
Veronica was dedicated to her family. She was a loving mother to her children and grandchildren. The Dampier family home was always the gathering place for holiday meals and family events. Prayer and praise for the Lord were vitally important to her, as she would pray fervently and often for each member of her family.
Many of her relatives, friends and acquaintances admired Veronica for her beauty, intelligence, charm, and unique sense of style. She became affectionately known later in life as "Queen" by persons who met and interacted with her on a daily basis. When she would travel to major cities including New York, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, and New Orleans, these trips had to include a visit to the best shopping malls and boutiques. Needless to say, she passed her love for travel and shopping on to her children.
Veronica's life, love, and legacy will live on through her daughters, Patricia Dampier Gray (the late Alvin Eugene Gray) and Alfredia Dampier Miller (Melvin) of Ridgeland, MS; son, Dr. Arthur Reginald Dampier, Jr. (Joiya) of Madison, MS; grandchildren, Patrelle Gray Jackson (Marvin), Alvin Eugene Gray, II (Angela), Elizabeth Marie Dampier, Olivia Temple Dampier, Arthur Dampier III, Elijah Denzel Dampier; step granddaughter Keizia Davidson; great grandsons, Martrel Demir Jackson, Marione D'Taegan Jackson, Alvin Gray, III, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
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