Ida Belle Hampton, 95, was born in Marlow, Oklahoma to her since deceased parents Maebelle Estes and William Clayton Strickland. She was the last survivor in her family line of Estes’ and Strickland’s. Matriarch, role model and expert gin rummy card player, she was adored by all who knew her. She had a sharp wit and gentle demeanor. One could easily talk with her and be put at ease by her understanding nature. A resident of Hemet for over 35 years, she was happily independent and enjoyed sharing her home with family and friends until two years ago when her doctors said she couldn’t live alone anymore.

She loved to knit and grew up sewing her own clothes. In recent years, she knitted leg warmers for patients in nursing homes.  She enjoyed taking walks around Sierra Dawn Estates for as long as she could and even took short walks in her assisted living facility. Church and family were her greatest passions. She enjoyed when her grandchildren, friends and brothers and sisters visited and could take her shopping and play cards over coffee. She especially enjoyed when her sons could be with her.

Ida Belle grew up on a farm in Oklahoma and had to help support her mother when she was 17 and her father died. Two months after marrying her late husband Bill Hampton, they were celebrating her 20th birthday (December 7th) with friends in Monterrey near Fort Ord when word reached them of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The celebration was cut short and all the men were called to war. Her life changed dramatically after that. Later, after Bill retired, they spent happy years in Willow Beach, Arizona before moving to Hemet.

She is survived by three sons, Bob and his wife Dianna, Tom and his wife Laura, and Gerry and his wife Bobbi. She had 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren with one more on the way.

A memorial will be held on Sunday, Oct. 1st from 10 AM to 11:30 AM at Pacifica (formerly Brookdale), 1177 South Palm Ave., Hemet, CA 92543. There will be a moment of silence at 11 AM when all present can be joined with those not able to attend. After the memorial, all are welcome to follow the family and visit her gravesite where she is to be interred with her husband Bill E. Hampton at Riverside National Cemetery.

Flowers may be sent to the Pacifica Community Room or Pacifica Cedar Cottage where they will be shared with the staff who looked after and took care of her for the last two years. 

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