Martha Jean Smith Hampshire, of Mount Pleasant, SC, wife of Oliver Milton "Mickey" Hampshire, Jr., went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. She was 77.

Born in Newberry, "Martha Jean" was the daughter of Florence Harriet Harmon Smith and James Montgomery Smith, Jr., who preceded her in death.

Though Martha first won admiration as Miss Newberry, for her own beauty, she spent her whole life making everything around her beautiful. Be it an indoor space, a garden path, a flower arrangement, a book illustration, a canvas, a lump of clay, a singing voice, or a dinner table, everything she touched became beautiful.

Martha's dedication to higher education inspired her to excel throughout a lifelong pursuit of academic achievement. Upon graduation from Newberry High School, Martha began her undergraduate career at Presbyterian College, where Mickey 'swept her off her feet'. She went on to graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in education from Erskine College. She earned a master's degree in education from Clemson and went on to gather many more accreditations including her degree in Interior Design from Winthrop University, which she put to use when she started her interior design company specializing in classical French antiques. A Francophile, she enjoyed yearly buying trips abroad for her shops and clients.

Though Martha celebrated her French Huguenot heritage as part of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina; being a member of Rebecca Motte Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution; the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century; the First Families of Virginia; and the Garden Club of Charleston, the society she prized most is her membership in the kingdom of God with her dues paid by her Lord and Saviour Yeshua, Jesus Christ with His death on the cross and His resurrection. Her graciousness to others stems from His abundant grace to her. Her love of beauty, creativity, and art was a fascination because they reflect The Creator.

Surviving is her husband of 56 years; her three daughters, Kathryne H. Foster, Sarah Elizabeth Hampshire Tison, and Rebekah H. Stephens (William); her son, David J. Hampshire; her seven grandchildren, Mattie A. Foster, Larry A. Foster, III, A. Davidson "Dave" Tison, II, Fisher H. Tison, Mowbray M. Tison, Harmon E. Stephens, and Hillary W. Stephens; her brother, James M. "Monty" Smith, III (Cathryn) and their children, Marley Smith Baroody (Murray) and children Alex, Grace, and Evelyn, and Jenna M. Smith; her brother-in-law, H. Michael "Mike" Hampshire (Lynda) and their children and grandchildren; her cousins, Ben P. Stewart, Jr., (Judi), Gay S. Durham (Dwight), and Joy S. Whisenant (Michael), and their children and grandchildren; her close Charleston family, Maureen S. Hamilton (Dee), Richard S.W. Stoney, Jr. (Amy), Ashley W. Redmond (Mark), W. Charlton Wieters (Elizabeth), Forest S. Wieters (Justice), David L. Hamilton, III (Lauren), Lesslie H. Ray (Phillip), and their children; her Newberry family, Debbie S. Waldrop, Jaime W. VanZadelhoff (Bob), Whitney W. Cromer (Harry), Keely S. DeMarino (Lou), R. Clayton "Clay" Smith III (Kimberly), and their children.

She leaves behind her dear Turbeville family, the Greens, the Fitts, the Smiths, and the Hardys, along with her cherished friend Faye Miller Jackson.

A celebration of life service with reception to follow, will be Saturday, April 26th at 11am in St. Philip's Church, 142 Church St., Charleston, SC 29401.

Memorials may be made to Widow's Might International (P.O. Box 283, Lake Orion, MI 48361) or to the MUSC Foundation for the Olivette Garr Smith Scholarship (for giving by check, please address to MUSC Foundation and include fund #8262 in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to MUSC Foundation, 18 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29425).

Memories and messages may be left on her tribute page.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hampshire family.